The trailer for ‘WAR MACHINE’ suggests it is a work of sci-fi/action set in the backdrop of the Army Ranger selection process. In actuality, it is a melodrama that explores a soldier’s journey to self-discovery.
The premise is basic. After the untimely death of his brother by way of an ambush in Kandahar, Afghanistan, the protagonist, ‘81’(Alan Ritchson) unsuccessfully makes several attempts to become an Army Ranger. On his last mission to complete the Ranger selection process he and his squad encounter an otherworldly ‘soldier’.
The sci-fi elements could be substituted with any enemy combatants and the plot would essentially be the same. Think “Lone Survivor” meets “Transformers” and replace the wise-cracking, benevolent robots with the bloodthirsty, weaponized kind.
The first thing that jumps out is the title. It relies on name recognition of an African-American comic book superhero to gain interest. I hesitate to use the “r” word although it does a two-step on the line between entertainment and exploitation. I guess no one in the marketing meetings or writing confabs stopped to think, “Could they sue us for this?” Apparently, comic book character monikers are not copyrighted.
In these types of action movies the character(s) are often given an obvious motivation. One such tool is the last wish of a deceased relative. This literary mechanism succeeds because of the emotional dialogue or tell-tale behaviors – y’know, ‘acting’.
The opening scene, a dirt road in Kandahar, does a good job of presenting the closeness of ‘81’ and his brother. The brother(Jai Courtney) suggests joining the Army Rangers. ‘81’ is reluctant but eventually concedes. This would be the last conversation they would have.
This emotional sequence does set up the classic protagonist’s motivation for the rest of the movie. While predictable and poignant, it accomplishes in a few pages of dialogue what other movies take an entire act to develop. He becomes driven, even to his demise, to carry out his brother’s last wish. It’s also the biggest chunk of dialogue delivered by Ritchson.
It’s disappointing to see the lack of dialogue by the ‘Play Date’ star. If this was his first gig in a starring role it would be understandable but it’s not. I get it. He’s in brood mode over the death of his brother or he’s so focused on fulfilling his brother’s last wish he doesn’t have time to talk. Eventually, he does give us a glimpse into his mental state but it comes near the end of the movie.
Almost immediately the movie begins employing tropes to tell a somewhat predictable story. First-up, the European-American commander and the surly, senior non-com who barks at the troops. Played respectively by Dennis Quade and Esai Morales, these seasoned actors do bring a sense of realism to the project. Although, technically it would be unlikely that they would both have equal rank. It reminds me of Gorman and Apone in “Aliens”.
Another trope used here is the Magical Negro character, ‘7’, played by Stephan James. It’s not as obvious since he is not extraordinary in and of himself but The ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ star does provide the emotional support ‘81’ needs to keep going in the face of adversity.
After the events in Kandahar, we are introduced to RASP(Ranger Assessment and Selection Program) where the majority of the candidates are European-American. Torres, the First Sergeant, delivers a rousing speech that sets the tenor for the movie and gives us a feel for what we are about to experience. One by one the candidates are disqualified through various training exercises while the First Sergeant exclaims, “You are not selected.”
There is a pivotal moment during one of the exercises when ‘81’ nearly drowns. This facilitates a meeting between ‘Sheridan’, ‘Torres’ and ‘81’. They proceed to outline, in detail, how he falls short of being a proper candidate. Sheridan wants to kick him from the program but decides to allow him to quit, which he declines.
So, instead of directing this “unstable” soldier to the nearest VA-recommended group therapy session, they decide to push him through to the last phase of the selection process which is the literal finish line to becoming a Ranger. Not only that, they strip the team leader role from ‘7’ and give it to ‘81’.
There is no clear reason for this decision. We are left to infer that somehow he will rise to the challenge and excavate some hidden nobility. It makes me cringe to watch his superiors push him to perform his way out of his grief.
This is me sighing.
Once the killer robots show up, the action/sci-fi expectations are well fulfilled. It’s graphic and violent with a touch of heart in typical war movie fashion. With the help of ‘7’ and his Jiminy Cricket-esque encouragement, ‘81’ makes it back to base.
War movies are rarely triumphant. At least not since the 80’s and the Viet Nam era movies. This is no exception.
The Darkseid-level, laser disintegrating enemy.
The futility of resisting said enemy.
The use of numbers instead of names.
All these things convey a heaviness that is used as fuel to pull along an otherwise formulaic piece of fiction.
It does succeed in hitting us in the feels. It’s well-acted and the CG is on point. However, I wouldn’t advise it for date night or if you’re a veteran that’s been in-country. Be prepared for an emotional pendulum ride of brutal proportions.
With June being Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, please don’t make the mistake of trying to perform your way out of a crisis. Text /call 988 to speak to someone.
