War Machine

I went into this blind, only knowing what I could glean from Netflix’s in app trailer – that it was about the army and had man mountain Alan Ritchson in it – and I was pleasantly surprised as a result. If you are half interested I recommend you stop reading, watch it and report back…

Hello again, War Machine is a retro sci-fi action flick directed by Patrick Hughes – the man behind Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard but don’t hold that against him. Aforementioned brick shithouse Alan Ritchson is a nameless soldier, later known as 81, is serving in Afghanistan alongside his brother – a brief and nondescript role for Jai Courtney – when they come under attack. Unfortunately 81’s brother meets his maker and in his honour 81 is determined to pass the arduous tests and become a Ranger in the US army.

So far so run of the mill. This part of the film sees the hundreds of recruits get whittled down by state sanctioned physical and mental torture, until only the toughest and the thickest of skinned survive. It plays out like Full Metal Jacket, enjoyable enough but something you have seen before and done better. Dennis Quaid and Esai Morales play Sergeants Sheridan and Torres in the typically overbearing, macho and sardonic fashion. 

Then half way through the last mission before they become a power Ranger things take a sudden turn. They come across this weird craft which turns out to be extra terrestrial, and this alien robot hunts the recruits down like game. It turns into a heart pounding game of survival, with sky rocketing levels of fear. The body count rises alongside the violence, and we are treated to some full throttle action scenes, deadly chases and some impressive explosions. From Full Metal Jacket to Predator on steroids, complementing Alan Ritchson’s good turn as the tortured, reluctant hero who is allergic to conversation.

The typically flag humping, we love America ending – which of course leaves the door open for more – slightly spoils what is otherwise a cracking, old fashioned action flick with thrills aplenty.

7/10