Talk about going from an unsuspecting action film to one of the most unexpected thrill rides of the year. War Machine follows a group spec ops recruits embarking on the final stage of a gruelling boot camp where they encounter an enemy force that’s out for blood.
To put it simply; I had no idea what this movie was about before watching besides just “a stunt-heavy action film on Netflix”. As a result, I expected it to be similar in vein to Extraction, but boy I couldn’t have been more wrong. At its core it’s still a fast-paced, high-octane action film with minimal narrative and maximum violence, but it has many layers that were a blast to uncover after going in completely blind. This onion of a film managed to be both simple and straightforward in its narrative setup and eventual progression, while also keeping me engaged and surprised early on. The movie dedicates the entire first 20-30 minutes setting up an emotional hook and identifying room for our protagonist to grow. This caught me off-guard as I was expecting 90 minutes of mindless yet entertaining action. In the end we still get 60 minutes of balls-to-the-wall action, but it’s after writer/director Patrick Hughes takes the time to set up a character arc that turns our protagonist into more than just a brick shithouse.
The setup and character motivations may be predictable, but they serve their purpose in making us care for 81 (Alan Ritchson) and become invested in his journey. The opening act kicks off an arc that plays out and evolves over the course of the film, culminating in a climax that’s all the more rewarding for our main character. Without it, this would still be a fun movie, but having a connection to the protagonist (and even some of the supporting cast) is only beneficial to the overall enjoyment. I will say that it’s not the most original or groundbreaking character arc, but it’s enough for what this story is. The film humanises the protagonist when it didn’t need to and gives the story more depth than necessary, and I love the dedication there. In fact, with this film already confirmed to be getting a sequel, I’d say this creative choice has paid off.
Now the story is good and all that, but it’s the action we’ve come for… and thankfully it’s the action that delivers. In an attempt to preserve some sense of mystique of this film, I won’t be delving too far into it, but the action is simply awesome. From the 30 minute mark it takes on a non-stop approach to the action and suspense right through to the final credits. The action sequences are packed with impressive stunts that are grand and exciting, but also grounded. There’s a solid variety of set-pieces that are tense and appropriately gore-filled. One sequence late in the film is presented as a one-shot and it’s as exciting as you’d expect. That scene alone encapsulates the suspense and brutality of the action and is an absolute blast.
As far as performances go, there’s quite a few talented actors in here, but most of them don’t have enough screentime to allow them to shine. From Dennis Quaid to Jai Courtney and Keiynan Lonsdale, they all have supporting roles that they’re good in, but aren’t given much of a platform. Alan Ritchson is on screen for 99% of this movie and is great. He pulls off the subtle emotional beats quite well and (obviously) sells us on every action sequence. Plus he lets some of his playful charisma shine. The fact that he executed most of the stunts in this film himself is a testament to his action star status and dedication to the craft. I have to mention Stephan James (7) as someone who shines throughout this film. I wasn’t aware of him prior to this film, but his performance is so soft and genuine that it works as a great contrast to Ritchson’s hulking presence. He has a few interesting scenes opposite Ritchson that help flesh out both of their characters.
In the end, War Machine defied expectations and evolved from a potentially basic war/action film into a potential franchise-starter. Aside from the fact that it can be a little cliche and straightforward in its setup and character drives, I don’t have any glaring issues with the film. It sets out to be an awesome, explosive action film and it excels at just that. To describe it simply… this film is literally Predator x Metal Gear Solid… do with that information what you will and just watch the movie.
7.3/10
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