The biggest problem with the new Vares movie is Vares himself –

Leo Sjöman, 41, will now be seen for the first time in the role of private investigator Jussi Varen. JOUNI KURU / SOLAR FILM

Vares

Finland, 2024

Directed by: Tuukka Temonen

IL rating: ⭐⭐

Author Reijo Mäken created by Jussi Varensen, a private detective from Turku, the cinematic adventures have already reached their tenth part.

For the first time, Vares appeared in Mäki’s novel Fun game already in 1986 and the film series started in 2004 with a film Vares – private detective.

The title role was seen in the first two Vares films Juha Veijonen. After that, Varesena went on adventures for no less than seven films Antti Reini.

The real super years for Vares were 2011 and 2012, when no less than three Vares films premiered in both years. In the end, this was also reflected in the decreasing number of viewers. However, they turned to rise again when Vares had the patience to stay away from cinemas for a couple of years. The previous part of the series that premiered in 2015 Crow – The Sheriff again gathered more than a hundred thousand viewers. So, Vares clearly has a loyal fanbase.

Now Vares has returned to the big screen again after a break of almost 10 years. This time Varekse takes over the role Leo Sjöman (The unknown soldier, Lapua 1976).

Succinctly named Vares seems to be in some kind of imbalance from the beginning. Almost everything in the film is out of balance, including the plot, actors and humor.

The film starts when Vares has to leave in the middle of his own wedding to save his friend Kyypakkaus, played by Jasper Pääkkönen.

As a result of Varekse’s own mistake, he soon finds himself in the middle of an incredible mess, involving a drug deal gone wrong, the death of a businessman, a strange sex cult and Varekse’s kidnapped stepdaughter.

The plot of the film is confusing and unbelievable in every way. Varens’ adventures have never been particularly realistic, but this time the wacky plot twists sometimes feel like Secret lives from those borrowed.

Vares X:n however, the biggest problem is Vares himself.

Leo Sjöman plays Vare, except for a few moments, completely expressionless, as if the purpose was to make the private detective an emotionless robot. Perhaps Sjöman has sought inspiration for his character from the legendary American star Humphrey Bogartistawith the intention of making Crow the same kind of tough guy that Bogart used to portray. However, this does not work, instead the new Vares appears to the viewer as an expressionless and boring character with no charisma to say the least. It should also be emphasized that Sjöman’s acting is not bad, but his interpretation would be better suited to the Terminator movies than to Vares.

The script of the film is based on the characterful side characters typical of Vares films. You either like them or you don’t. The supporting roles are literally packed full of familiar names Kalle from Lamberg and Mikko from Töyssy To Jenni Kokander, Crete to Salmi and Olga to Temos.

Like everything else in the film, the acting is also very uneven. It varies from amateurish to quite decent. Jasper Pääkkönen, seen in the role of a policeman, succeeds best Mikko Koukiplaying the crow’s wife Sara Soulie and always valid One Silvowho plays Varens’ tomboyish mother-in-law.

Crow from X left feeling frustrated. There would have been ingredients for something better if the script had been more polished and the stupidest plot twists and supporting roles had been eliminated. Vares also sometimes feels a little lost in his own film, when he mostly just accidentally stumbles from one situation to another.

There are still good points in the movie. Tuukka Temonen the direction moves the story briskly forward, and there are hardly any dull moments. The film’s female characters, on the other hand, are versatile and cheerful, and they don’t stay idle even in tight spots.

The adventures of the new Vares, played by Leo Sjöman, will continue in the next TV series, which will be shown on MTV Katsomo in the spring of next year.

Vares X arrives in cinemas on Wednesday 23 October 2024.