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Here is the review I wrote about it for our school paper...
( Imagine it in columns...)
Lord of War
Action movies seem to define us as a nation. We have more action, death, and violence in our movies than any other country. Nicolas Cage’s new movie, “Lord of War” is a change from the Steven Segal, explosion packed, run and gun, kill everything that moves movie. “Lord of War” is the story of Yuri Orlov (Nicolas Cage), the son of Ukrainian immigrants who is trying to make his living as an international arms dealer with his brother, Vitaly Orlov (Jared Leto). Finding himself with incredible wealth, the girl of his dreams, (Bridget Moynahan) and at the call of every warlord around, Yuri slowly loses himself and his ethics in the selling of chaos. Things don’t go well forever as Interpol Agents (including Ethan Hawke) come dangerously close and relations with the Liberian president turn less than perfect. Yuri must choose whether the life he lives is worth losing everything he has.
The opening scene shows the life of a bullet from beginning to horrific end. Writer/director Andrew Niccol took every major world conflict of the past twenty-five years and seamlessly incorporated them into a smart, funny, complex story about the morals we choose to blur for the sake of making a quick buck. "I never sold to Osama Bin Laden…not on moral grounds, but because his checks were always bouncing back then." These one-liners pepper the entire script adding some nice comic relief to the strenuous circumstances.
Niccol had help writing and directing “Lord of War” from real life “gun runners” adding so much reality that most movies dream to achieve. I do believe that nothing was left out for the sake of the audience and that what was shown was the real life of an arms dealer.
The acting is absolutely astounding as Cage, Leto, Holm, Moynahan, and everyone else perform just spectacularly. All on top of their game the story is able to come alive through them. Cage is just able to sell his performance at every turn. Not worried about changing his appearance as the years progress, he just gives it all and truly makes the movie work. Leto is absolutely great as the younger brother who breaks down and isn’t able to rationalize and justify the selling of these weapons when he knows exactly what they are going to be used for.
The set up does start to drag on but when you get to the point where you are ready to become frustrated, it moves on. The main part of the story is just enthralling as you are just mesmerized by what is actually taking place in front of you. The climax and finish are easily the best they could be. I’ve seen few endings that match this one and leave you wanting to know more.
This movie is rated ‘R’ for a reason and should be considered before viewing. Like I stated earlier, nothing was left out. It isn’t “gross” by any means but there is strong language and sexuality. Not to mention the occasional death or two.
The ties into politics and the real world are amazing as this is based on actual events. After it ends and you realize that everything you just watched actually happened and is still happening; it really makes you think. This is by far one of the best movies I’ve seen in my life and I recommend it for everyone who is informed politically. 9/10.
On a side note, to make this movie more enjoyable I recommend that after you watch it you put in Jared Leto’s band, 30 Seconds to Mars “A Beautiful Lie” c.d. and play “The Kill” (Track 3). The song will have an entirely new meaning and will greatly enhance the entire experience of “Lord of War”… just a thought.
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