Review for Big Game

Everyone who has ever watched a Samuel L. Jackson film has probably thought to themselves 'He is the coolest man in the world'. After watching so many films of his over the years it is surprising that he has never played President, but that has now been resolved with his fantastic turn in Big Game.

President Moore is en route to a summit in Helsinki when a terrorist launches an attack on Air Force One and he finds himself evacuated, alone, in the middle of the forest. At the same time, a young boy Oskari is in the middle of a trial that everyone of his people does to become a man. He must return with the biggest game that he has hunted, what he finds is something even more. What follows is a film that is filled with betrayal, action and enough explosions to make this one of the funnest films I have seen in a long time.

Big Game is a classic example of someone doing a remake right. Most people will be unaware that this film is based on a foreign film and though I have never seen that film I would be surprised if it worked as well as this US remake. Jackson puts on his 'Snakes on the Plane' persona that he has been using for the past twenty years and it is so much fun to watch him as this useless President and not an ex-cop or soldier able to use his previous skills to get by. Instead he is, as I said, utterly useless, almost like how I would expect any real world leader to be if this did actually happen.

The fact that the filmmaker's didn't just recast everyone as American is great and Onni Tommila as Oskari is wonderful as the young hunter trying to help the President, despite not really knowing who he is. It is almost like if the President of Germany or any other country came to England or America. Without the news to tell me who they are, I wouldn't have a clue. This honest approach was just what this film needed and really made it an enjoyable watch.

The terrorists are your typical stereotypes and the man who betrays the President is so obvious you will guess within the first minute. Though I would say if you want that unspoilt don't watch any of the trailers which give this away. This is my only real issue with this film, as the characters, apart from Oskari, are a little one dimensional and even actors like Jim Broadbent and Felicity Huffman have nothing much to work with.

However, the cat and mouse action of the film, jumping from the President and Oskari, the Terrorist group and the Pentagon team trying to figure out what is going on is well paced. At an hour and a half, the film does not overstay its welcome and the ending works perfectly, though it does leave a bitter taste.

Big Game is such a fun film that I would recommend this to everyone. Samuel L. Jackson makes a perfect President and his chemistry with everyone on screen is fabulous. Though it may be a little too adult for children, probably why it became a 15 rather than a 12, it has that classic kids film feel that I really enjoyed. If you wanted to see what would happen if Nick Fury or Jules was President then this is the film for you. Full of humour and a good deal of action that makes it a hugely enjoyable film.