MovieChat Forums > Rare Exports (2010) Discussion > Too many problems in the final 20 minute...

Too many problems in the final 20 minutes (SPOILERS)

posted 12 years ago by tpupkin
19 replies | jump to latest

Count me amongst those disappointed.

I enjoyed the first hour. I dug its faux-Spielberg vibe right from the start, never got bored in the build-up, enjoyed it expecting that it was actually building toward some kind of difficult showdown. Given my few prior experiences with Finnish movies, I did expect that this showdown would be grim, bloody, and very likely resolved in favor of Santa with all the humans in little bits in the snow.

But not only did that not happen, nothing really happened -- at least nothing that paid off the tension the movie was building.

We can even leave aside the fact that the main villain of the movie -- the central source of tension in the story -- turned out to be only an immobile block of ice with horns, and it never posed danger to anyone for a single second (because there just so happens to be a stockpile of explosives nearby).

Even if Santa and the Elves are dealt with far too easily (Oh, you have a pickaxe and want to eat/sacrifice our children? Here's a cookie. Problem solved!) there's still the perplexing issue of WTF are they going to do with a corral of feeble-minded (probably retarded), dirty, naked old men? However, even that was dealt with too easily -- and too preposterously.

Is there really a market anywhere in the world where someone will pay $85k for a retarded elderly man? And in Tanzania, no less? A big demand for Santas there, is there?

The final 20 minutes was far too easy, no tension, no danger, just a series of easy steps in which nothing goes wrong (the only obstacle being the closed gate, which it turns out is a false obstacle) and everything ends happily. Bummer.

[–] euvaldojr 12 years ago

Couldn´t agree more.

[–] cthomas36 12 years ago

unfortunately, you missed the point of the film. the ending was supposed to demonstrate the fact that the real problem is easily rectified. despite the mystery in the beginning--which was a long climax--the ending is supposed to be fixed easily by a child. the film is executed in 2 different perspectives (which i thought was rather ingenious and intelligent). the 3/4 of the film is seen mostly through adult eyes and is trying to be rationalized the same way. it is only in the moment of folklore and myth that the "problem" is resolved (and thus figured out by the child).

it is fantasy! it's supposed to be interpreted that way...

[–] cthomas36 12 years ago

***ooops--that was meant to say the beginning was a long build to a climax--

[–] tomfern 8 years ago

Re: cthomas36...

Thank you!! Hit the nail right on the head! I can only imagine all the 'disappointed' critics on the boards were expecting an entirely different type of movie, and when it didn't meet their expectations, they blamed the movie, rather than their own misconceptions from the start. I'll watch this every Christmas now, along with Fanny and Alexander...another fantasy type movie, but with much more depth and drama. This was sort of like Fanny and Alexander 'light'...very, VERY light...

[–] mad_roke 12 years ago

I thought it was pretty disappointing too. I just wanted to see some more action and I wanted to see Santa in action. Also I would've liked if the one guy who was bitten by the first elve would also turn into one. Like a zombie-virus. That would've been a little more tense. It's pretty disappointing too, that the "rules" who are presented by the "boss" don't apply or at least no one gives a damn.
The very end, disguising the elves as Santas and shipping them, was very farfetched (yahh.. 85k for a Santa Claus..) but it was a very nice touch. I laughed at the end and thought it was very nice. The film should've been a little longer, because it didn't build up any real tense moments, because all the dangers were so easily to avoid (like the dynamite and the cookies and the fence) that it was way to easy for the characters.
After all I guess the movie isn't a horror film, but a creepy christmas story, which is fine by me. But due to the awesome cover (I have a steelbook with the santa sign) and the awesome idea, the movie lacked a bit of "Showing" the whole thing. Also, why did the elve get caught in the spike trap? Do they eat *beep* pig heads?! I would've understand it if it would've been the real Santa, though he eats children and therefore flesh.. but those elves eat cookies :D

[–] BlackDog123 12 years ago

I watched this last night and I completely agree. The elves were suitably creepy, and I enjoyed the exposition about an evil Santa. However, there were just too many holes - the "American" (?) guy excavating didn't know the difference between a giant horned monster and an elf on sight? And I must say, the three main adult leads really lost my vote when they inexplicably decided to first butcher what at the time appeared to be a decrepit old man to hide an illegal wolf pit, followed by attempting to take him hostage.

The first two thirds were amazing. The last third - not so much. If it was that easy to conquer Santa Claws, then anyone could do it.

I completely didn't get why anyone would pay $85,000 (+22% of whatever they kept saying, lol) for what looked like a sickly, mute old man either. Didn't realize a traditional European/American Xmas was a big draw in Africa and Asia.

They're coming to get you, Barbara!

[–] hammar4ever 12 years ago

i agree last 20min was a letdown and kind of silly.
They should have done it more lika a horror movie then this..

[–] Strazdamonas 12 years ago

22% is VAT tax, the tax for every fina consumption item sold. the consumer - you - pay it.

Also, 85 thousand for a work drone that needs no pay, food, rest or good working conditions.... im sure many firms would consider this a nice investment. They also seem to be fast and strong for the attack scene.

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[–] Dream_Demon 12 years ago

I didn't mind the ending. This movie was based off of two shorts. The makers were trying to tie in the ending with the shorts.

Welcome to my Nightmare- Freddy Krueger

[–] Adler-99 12 years ago

"Is there really a market anywhere in the world where someone will pay $85k for a retarded elderly man?"

Why not? I can think of some politicians that are paid much more, and are much stupider.

Overall, I liked the movie, but I didn't go into it with high expectations. I wanted something different than the usual saccharin Christmas fare, and I got it. Enjoyed the two shorts on the DVD almost as much as the feature film.

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[–] Pohjanakka 12 years ago

Lack of carnage, and not showing the actual Santa Claws expect as encased in that block of ice may be due to the budget, it was a bit shy of two million euros. Finnish movies are usually paid by a foundation, and the budgets tend to be rather miserly. You can't do a decent special effects movie if you don't have the money.

I would have wanted to see the Santa also, but I think the movie was pretty good if you consider the budget.

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[–] fatpie42 12 years ago

Spielberg vibe?

[–] kcanavan84 12 years ago

It's all budget limitation.
I would have loved to have seen Santa in action too. But this didn't have a Hollywood budget. It was great for what it was, however. The ending is amazing and Christmassy.

Second prize is a set of steak knives.

[–] smgfan414 11 years ago

i kind of pictured those old men being sent off to department stores, and THAT's where our department store Santas came from.

why are you wearing that stupid man suit?

[–] fugazzi49 10 years ago

I loved this unique film, and thought the director built up the suspense wonderfully. But I have to agree with those who find the ending a bit anticlimactic. It may be the influence of American films that build things up to some kind of spectacular ending. Here the ending doesn't quite pay off the level of tension. It all works better on a second viewing, when you know what's coming.

Since the movie is a comedy as well as a suspense film, I think you need to be gentle about it's holes, of which there are plenty.

The film's soundtrack was very effective in support of the atmosphere of the piece, often bringing a mood of uncertainty and creepiness to what were often just scenes of snow and trees.

I thought Zanzibar could have been an oblique reference for it as a center of the old slave trade, sending Africans to the middle east. After all, these "Santas" would be perceived as a type of human cargo. But then again, it may have just seemed like an exotic name.