23 September 2016.
WAR DOGS ***
War is not only about power, destruction and killing, but also about money, arms and ammunition. Lots of ammunition and incredible amounts of money to be made in procuring it. And this is one (true) story of two young fellows who almost got away with wheeling and dealing between arms suppliers and the Pentagon. They became profitable arms dealers with the info to be found right there, on the Internet. All (almost) legit.
The pace of the film is exhilarating, the direction is as sharp as their ambition, and Miles Teller (the intense drummer in “Backlash”) and Jonah Hill (DiCaprio’s buddy in “The Wolf of Wall Street”) are spot-on, one a curious innocent, the other a conniving pig. There are jabs at the Bush and Cheney crowd, at the corruption and ineptitude in top places, and the comeuppance that fat guy deserves.
As in “Three Kings”, about gold booty in the Iraq war, or “The Big Short”, about the manipulated stock market, this film explores the rottenness and backstabbing, as it was and is, as long as there are humans and greed. From Miami to Las Vegas, Iraq and Albania, these two wise guys follow where the money leads.
But justice somehow prevails – sort of like in “Scarface”.This is an exciting, satisfying, informative piece of work by the “Hangover” and “Due Date” director, Todd Phillips, turning somewhat more serious here.
Superb **** Very Good *** Good ** Mediocre * Miserable – no stars
By Neptune
Neptune Ravar Ingwersen reviews film extensively for publications in Switzerland. She views 4 to 8 films a week and her aim is to sort the wheat from the chaff for readers.
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