Title: War Machine
MPA Rating: R
Director: Patrick Hughes
Starring: Alan Ritchson, Stephan James, Alex King
Runtime: 1 hr 46 mins

What It Is: 81 (Ritchson) is a man who’s seen the horrors of war. He’s seen his own brother (Jai Courtney) mortally wounded in front of him, only to awaken and discover that he did not make it to medical in time. They dreamed of becoming Army Rangers together. Now, with that goal right in front of him, he’s determined to cross this finish line in his brother’s name. When he and a group of fellow recruits are dropped for their final test, something about their initial mission seems strangely off. When they finally figure out what has happened it may be too late for everyone involved.

What We Think: A huge surprise from the normally terrible Patrick Hughes. This man normally shits out terrible action comedies. From the Hitman’s Bodyguard series to the dead on arrival The Man From Toronto, it’s all easily digestible garbage. That being said, this movie is actually so good. Alan Ritchson brings a brooding calm to 81. He’s a man of few words, but when he speaks everything gains volume. The relationships he forms with his fellow recruits as they deal with the harrowing ordeal they find themselves in really are something. The film does a great job of making us care enough about characters that severely lack in dimension. That might be the biggest flaw in an otherwise decent sci-fi action piece.

Our Grade: B, I can comfortably recommend this. I legitimately liked what I saw here. There’s enough of a story to hold you and Alan Ritchson is doing great work as the quietly charismatic 81. This being on Netflix makes it easily accessible. Definitely an entertaining way to spend a little under two hours. That, by the way, is a perfect runtime for something like this — about 100 minutes. More of this Patrick Hughes, please.

4k

Netflix

Flatrate

hd

Netflix Standard with Ads

Flatrate

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