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Jul 15, 2008

Fletch's Mini Film Review: War, Inc.

John Cusack stars in this political satire about - stop me if you've heard this one before - an assassin struggling with the morals (or lack thereof) of his profession who meets up with a vivacious brunette who helps him change his ways. Sister Joan co-stars as his assistant, as does Dan Aykroyd and a number of black suits and skinny black ties.

Joan and/or a number of others involved may wish to call this the unofficial or spiritual sequel to Grosse Pointe Blank, but I'd have preferred that they had just made a different film. That's not to say that War, Inc. is bad - it's not. It is, however, distracting, in an film that's just different enough in tone and target from Grosse, to share so many elements with the "original."

Along the way, prepare yourself to either nod in agreement or shake your head in anger at the message dealt, depending on your political persuasion. There are laughs to be found, for sure, particularly from an audibly unrecognizable Ben Kingsley and from some clever kills by Cusack. Marisa Tomei is game as the journalist that helps opens the assassin's eyes, and Hilary Duff is in over her head playing a Middle Eastern pop star. Joan steals her scenes as usual, but also, as usual, makes me wonder how this woman that's three years older than her brother (45 vs. 42) can look like his mother. Yay for a refreshing lack of plastic surgery, I suppose, but boo for my eyes.

Fletch's Film Rating:

"You seem a decent fellow. I hate to kill you."


9 people have chosen wisely: on "Fletch's Mini Film Review: War, Inc."

Big Mike Mendez said...

I really want to see this movie, but it got a real limited release. Oh well, I'll wait for DVD, sight unseen.

Fletch said...

You're in the LA area and can't find a screening nearby? What's the world come to?

Mattie Lucas said...

I watched about the first 30 minutes or so of this, ad just couldn't handle it. It was too heavy handed and ham fisted, I couldn't take any more.

Daniel said...

I let this one go by for a couple of weeks. You've now mostly validated my decision.

Anonymous said...

@ Matthew.

You're missing out on a great Cusack fight scene by not watching the whole flick.

@Fletch
Loved Duff as Yonica Babyeah. Gee, I wonder who her character was making fun of?

Out of the two, I'll stick with Grosse Point Blank.

Big Mike Mendez said...

It was in theatres for like a week.

Fox said...

I wanna rent this but what kept me away - as silly as this sounds - is that the poster was too busy and ovecrowded. Kinda sounds like the movie is the same, no?

Still... I'm curious to see Hillary Duff in that role.

elgringo said...

Wow, I had NO idea that this had ANYTHING in common with Grosse except the leading star. This one's slipped under my radar but I'll catch it soon.

Thanks for the review.

Scott
he-shot-cyrus.blogspot.com

Fletch said...

@ Mike - good point about the theater stay. Guess it just got here later and I assumed it was still there.

@ Matt Lucas - agreed, it was heavyhanded. I forgave it for that, though, as I agree with it so much. And because it's a satire.

@ Gringo - is that sarcasm?

Anyway, yeah, it's waaaay too much like GPB. I'd have rather just watched that again.