Jönssonligan kommer tillbaka (The Jönsson Gang Returns) reunites audiences with Charles Ingvar “Sickan” Jönsson (Robert Gustafsson), Dynamit-Harry (Anders Jansson), Vanheden (Jonas Karlsson), and Doris (Jennie Silfverhjelm). Unlike recent reboots or remakes, this film serves as a direct sequel to the original series featuring Gösta Ekman, Björn Gustafson, Ulf Brunnberg, and Birgitta Andersson. While the film largely succeeds, some unexplained plot elements are not addressed, as detailed below. Following the disappointing Se upp för Jönssonligan (Watch Out for the Jönsson Gang), the filmmakers have refocused on the core elements that contributed to the original films’ enduring appeal.
Charles Ingvar “Sickan” Jönsson returns to Sweden after an extended period and immediately attracts the attention of police officer Rigmor Gren (Lotta Tejle). It’s clear Sickan is planning something, but his exact intentions remain concealed. He quickly regroups with his accomplices and unveils his plan to steal a valuable dinosaur skeleton from the Naturhistoriska riksmuseet (Swedish Museum of Natural History). The heist is meticulously planned, but true to Jönsson Gang form, unforeseen complications arise, setting the stage for comedic chaos.
What works in Jönssonligan kommer tillbaka? The answer is, largely, everything. The film provides an entertaining experience, and the decision to set it within the same continuity as the original films, but with a new cast, proves to be a successful creative choice. Each actor delivers a performance that honors the original characters while simultaneously imbuing them with their own distinct interpretations. Robert Gustafsson effectively embodies the spirit of Papphammar, at times strikingly reminiscent of Gösta Ekman’s portrayal of the perpetually stressed leader. Anders Jansson faces the formidable challenge of portraying Dynamit-Harry, following Björn Gustafson’s memorable performance. He succeeds admirably, bringing both warmth and vulnerability to the character. Jonas Karlsson, a consistently strong performer, offers his own interpretation of Vanheden, with clear nods to Ulf Brunnberg’s iconic portrayal in terms of mannerisms and speech. While Doris was often relegated to a comedic background role in the original films, Jennie Silfverhjelm’s modern version establishes her as the most significantly evolved character.
Lotta Tejle plays Rigmor Gren, who, within the film’s narrative, has been pursuing the Jönsson Gang for years. Here, some continuity issues arise: such a character did not exist in the previous films; while the police were consistently on their trail, it was always different officers. However, the creation of a distinct “antagonist” for the gang is understandable from a narrative perspective. Furthermore, the events of Den svarta diamanten (The Black Diamond), in which Sickan seemingly experiences a mental breakdown and regresses into childhood, are not addressed. While there is a reference to Den svarta diamanten, the film appears to retcon the leadership dynamic, suggesting that Doktor Busé, rather than Sickan, was in charge.
These are ultimately minor quibbles, as the film maintains a consistently entertaining and engaging pace. While a few plot points could have benefited from further refinement, they do not significantly detract from the overall positive viewing experience.
Jönssonligan kommer tillbaka is available on Blu-ray only, and not on UHD. The Blu-ray edition exhibits a finely detailed picture with excellent black levels. The audio is presented solely in 5.1 DTS Master, which is somewhat disappointing as it results in a slightly underwhelming soundscape. The surround sound implementation, unfortunately, lacks impact. While certainly adequate, the audio track lacks the punch expected for this type of film.
As is often the case, no supplementary materials are included, which is regrettable. The inclusion of a commentary track, at minimum, would have been highly valuable.
In conclusion, Jönssonligan kommer tillbaka is highly recommended. In my opinion, it represents the best Jönsson Gang film since Den svarta diamanten, released 33 years ago! Prepare some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the Jönsson Gang’s latest escapade!
SF Studios provided review copies for this analysis. The provision of materials does not influence our editorial independence; our reviews are always conducted with our readers and consumers as our primary focus.
