User Reviews

As I'm having a week of Finnish movies, I also watched this one. And I must say it was a way better than I expected (and I did expect a decent movie), actually it's the best Finnish movie I've seen on this special week of mine.

With all its well played and thus believable characters and their dialogs, an above average story, great camera work and the lack of stamps and cheap one-liners it surely is a great film experience.

I totally enjoyed the beginning and other parts concerning the father - though those scenes with their garbled filming and darker tones, background voices and echoes were more suitable for a horror movie and they weren't well balanced with the rest of it.

The usage of Finnish-only music was a good call as well.

I totally recommend it.

It may irritate Finnish viewers by its un-Finnishness, perhaps it was intended by the creators. I guess they were trying to appeal to American and wider Europe and, in my view, they succeeded. This movie may particularly appeal by its unamerican flavour to the audiences used to American movies. The father of the boys comes across as quite a menacing character who at the end gets what he deserves. A bit simple but don't expect any depth from this movie. It is though based on a true story doesn't make an impression to be "real" It is just pure entertainment. Not each of the boys is equally well developed as a character but the main the youngest one, who has a separate story line, falling in love, is OK.

The best movie I've seen this far.

Music well chosen.

Awesome actors! Loiri is Oscar-worthy but won't get any consideration :(

Overall a very good effort by everyone on a high-class script.

This movie has it all, hot women, great storyline, awesome actors, fast cares, hardcore action, pace, humour(lots of it), Vesa-Matti Loiri, violence, insanity and is very perfect filmographically.

Very well casted actors, especially brothers & father was a perfect fit.

Never a dull moment, there is always something happening.

If I have to say something bad.... Then it is the role of them being laestadian that got downplayed and only was visible in the beginning where as in real life it was a huge reason for their acting like they did.

Finnish high-morality and spiritual twister in childhood might do this like horrible creatures as the father (Vesa-Matti Loiri) was. In the group of believers this movie might get up against-spirit. They might think: "No, hell, we aren't like those twisted-human-monster are!!" But I can say: "Yes, yes some of believers are." I can say 'cause I'm one of 'em. But that thing that some are twister was in the movie quite well shown. This father was in psychiatric-hospital and he HAVE to has many problems with his mental-health too. So have to give forgiven.

I´ve never been a big fan of Aleksi Mäkelä´s films but Pahat Pojat hit´d the rock bottom. Everything is wrong in this movie. The acting, the writing and specially directing. In fact there isn´t any directing. Acting is as lame as in the Finnish soap opera "Salatut Elämät". Scenes are lame too with no dynamics in acting and that has been tried to cover with a fast pace editing. But nothing can fix the bad taste of Aleksi Mäkelä in directing. But i gotta give it to the marketing of the film. Now I believe that you can make s*** look like gold if you convince the audience enough.

Pahat Pojat (Bad Boys translated in english) was marketed as a bad ass action movie here in Finland. And the gayish poster (the four lead male characters posing topless with their sweaty sixpacks shining) hinted of the toughness to come. First, the four men turned out to be complete idiots in the film (they rob a safe full of cash, but spent most of it on lottery tickets). Second, the hollywoodish action scenes (few and far apart) REALLY don't fit too well mixed into the conventional finnish filmmaking. They feel like fishes out of water. There's one very good thing though.. Vesa-Matti Loiri playing the boys' father. The best turn he has ever made in his career and he didn't even get nominated for a Jussi (local Oscars). Truly a shame. So all of you foreingers.. don't believe the hype. Try to find films like "Rukajärven tie", "Nousukausi" or "Joki" instead.

** / *****

I'm really angered by those who have posted degrading comments about this movie here. If you don't know know JS about cinema, it's your problem, right? Pahat Pojat being Hollywood-style could only be said by someone who's completely film-illiterate, or a young child. The story reminds a little bit of Hollywoodish stories, but then again, it's a true story so hush. It's also absolutely incorrect that this movie only applies to teenagers. The only thing I agree about those invalid comments is that, the "father" acts perfectly. He's so genuine that I wanted to punch him and then puke on his face. The character disgusted me that much. Congratulations for such an excellent acting! I think the young guys and their girls are also doing a great job. But the prize for the best actor goes to Eero. I've never seen such a perfect "weird young guy" depiction anywhere!

The FX at the explosion scene was really lousy, and that's disappointing to see in such a great movie. All in all, Pahat Pojat is a great movie, and I can recommend it to anyone who wonders how a movie would be with a Hollywood-like story but a European crew. It's totally comparable to Kaurismäki's The Man Without A Past. Weaker in terms of art, but much more entertaining. Yes, see it!

When you take off the nice explosions and the "this is based on a true story but we just don't admit it"-attitude this doesn't give much.

There are all the basic elements of a film here, but the story telling as a whole just doesn't work. I guess they haven't heard about timing when doing this film, it's just action from the beginning to the end. No climax, no peaceful scenes. Just when you think you can really concentrate on the characters they throw some action on the screen again. It suffocates the relations between people and gives very one-sided view of the characters.

The action is mostly like "hey we could do this and this" and I found most of it unnecessary. There are also good things in this film though. It was partially filmed in my home town and it's always nice to see some places you know well. Also the director Aleksi Mäkelä's father showed in two or three scenes. The boys had trained their muscles very well and looked good. If I had been turned on by those sixpacks I would probably have gotten much more out of this film. Vesa-Matti Loiri was ok.

Aleksi Mäkelä has made some attempts to make a big budget action film in Finland and this film is a good practice ground, but it doesn't convince me yet. Hope he will some day make something really thrilling and new, not just average material mostly copied from Hollywood action films. It was also a bit fun to see Finnish businessmen, known of very different relations, producing the film. This is not only a film, it is also an investment. If I had to describe this with one sentence I would probably say: Finnish big budget action films have come and succeeded. Go watch it if you like but don't expect too much.

Silly and unfulfilling film about badly treated brothers. Few talented actors, but uninteresting characters. Director couldn't make this film work. He tries to please all of the crowds, but pleases only teenagers.

Well, at least actor Vesa-Matti Loiri offers "insanely" good performance.

Gosh how this is one of those films that have made me load negative prejudices in my mind and then after seeing it, I start lauging to those thoughts because they were so wrong. This movie was an utter pleasent suprise. Rarely there are such great Finnish movies as Pahat Pojat. I was so suprised. The actors were natural, fun and sympatic. Even Jasper Pääkkönen who I have never liked. I´ve changed my thoughts about him now. The women actresses weren´t so good but that didn´t matter as the boys did so good. And Vesa-Matti Loiri! Gosh, how horrible he was made. He did a fantastic job.

What I really liked in this movie was that it is so colourful. It has action, great dialogue, romance and the best thing: humor. I laughed every five minutes! It also gets very touching at times too. That´s good for an "explosition movie". Pahat Pojat is for young people. It is rough and action packed, also light, warm and funny. See it!

Yö - the best liverock band in Finland is the only good thing played in this movie. One can see worst finnish acting when watching J. Pääkkönen having just one look at his face whatever happens. Some good acting is also seen when Vesa-Matti Loiri (aka Uuno Turhapuro - magnificent comedy roles in over 15 Uuno-movies) gives an excellent rolemodel for fathers... If one hasn't seen any Finnish movie he shouldn't begin with this. I should recommend for example Winter War on Häjyt for starters in Finnish movie. And the name of Vesa-Matti Loiri one should also remember. He acts and sings and is something very finnish. Just like the band mentioned in the beginning.

I am one of those who NEVER go to see a Finnish movie, except Rukajarven tie, I was very positively surprised of Pahat Pojat. The story is entertaining, and mr Loiri does a great job beeing quite a slimeball. The boys without their shirts is an extra bonus!

Although I am a Finn, I've never liked much of any Finnish films. That is why I didn't have high expectations about this one. To my surprise, this movie wasn't only good, it was actually really great.

This movie is a true story about four brothers known as "Eura's Daltons" who don't use alcohol, don't smoke nor curse. Still they have made over hundred robberies. These brothers have a sadistic and schizophrenic father "Joppe pappa" who isn't exactly the best father figure there is.

This movie manages to be fun and yet tragic at the same time. The movie manages to be interesting the whole running time and there aren't any boring moments. All the actors do their job very well and I especially liked the performance of Vesa-Matti Loiri as "Joppe pappa".

It might be difficult to see this movie in foreign countries like in the USA but if you have a chance to see this movie then I recommend you to see it. Hopefully the movie will premiere in other countries as well, at least in Sweden and Norway.

Wow, just wow! I cannot say more than I just really enjoyed watching this movie. A combination of action, comedy, based on a true story. Highly recommend. I wont' say anymore.