Director: Todd Phillips
Starring: Jonah Hill, Miles Teller and Bradley Cooper
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many stars have made films audiences treasure like Bradley Cooper. Since his fame in the 1990’s, Cooper has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s alcoholic singers, Bipolar patients or drug users, Cooper has played many characters. Arguably, Cooper’s finest strength as an actor is his commitment to craft. He is one of those actors that has an aptitude for stealing the show in supporting roles that have limited screen-time. Even if he isn’t a main focus of a movie, Cooper has left a long lasting impression. Through his ability to play characters that are engaging, Cooper has created a legacy that’s lasting. An actor with a strong commitment towards his craft, Cooper has become a celebrated icon in entertainment. Throughout his bold career, Cooper has made many memorable movies which are absolutely worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Cooper and admire all the movies he has made in his career. However, “War Dogs” is my favourite. Released back in 2018, Todd Phillips’ movie offered a bold portrayal of drug use. Packed with stunning production, engaging storytelling and bold acting, it’s one of the best films ever made about drug trafficking. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance from Bradley Cooper, who embodies a drug runner that’s enduring pressure. Ultimately, what makes “War Dogs” a masterpiece is broad appeal. Unlike most movies about drug trafficking, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. A mesmerizing masterpiece about drug trafficking, there are many strong reasons why “War Dogs” is a commemorated movie worth watching.
Based on a true story, “War Dogs” follows the adventures of two men that engage in armies causing adversity. Miles Teller plays David Packouz, a young man with ambition of building a bright future. Assisted by his longtime companion Efraim (Jonah Hill), David seeks to arm American soldiers in Afghanistan. However, what appears to be a simple mission soon turns dangerous when the pair face drug trafficking that causes a disaster. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, David questions whether it’s truly possible to ensure that his country is doing to face a bright future. Facing a dilemma, David questions whether it’s truly possible to serve armies in America.
Todd Phillips has often been fascinated by themes of friendship. A fantastic filmmaker, Phillips has often produced engaging films about friends that face disaster. With “War Dogs”, however, Phillips created his first ever political satire. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of friends that seek to serve in the American army but he succeeded tremendously. Using stunning cinematography, Phillips captures lives of army volunteers facing adversity. Evoking Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction”, Phillips captures the lives of friends engaging in an activity of drug trafficking through stunning montages. For instances montages elevate the army interview scene. During this tense scene, David and Efraim engage in an army interview causing tension. Using captivating montages, Phillips crafts a bold portrait of armies which is compelling. Montages are complex techniques. As David O. Russell’s “Silver Linings Playbook” proved, montages elevate films about bipolar. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Through stunning visuals. Phillips captures hardships that army men are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “War Dogs” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s the most impressive war movie that you will ever see. Phillips effectively employs cross-cutting to capture the tensions that army volunteers are facing. For instance, the cross-cutting elevates the army attack scene. During this intense scene, Danny faces tensions when he discovers an army attack. Using strong cross-cutting, Phillips creates a portrait of armies that’s compelling. Furthermore, the music score is magnificent. Cliff Martinez’s score is spectacular. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere capturing the burden that army volunteers bear. Through strong production, Phillips created a portrayal of armies facing tension.
Steeling is one of the main reasons why “War Dogs” is a political satire which is engaging. The film is beautifully written, effectively using satire to capture tensions war generals are facing. The film switches back and forth among comedy and tragedy. For instance, satire elevates the wartime consequences scene. During this intense scene, David bids emotional farewell to his profession causing tension. Through satire, Phillips creates a portrait of armies which audiences can easily relate to. Satire is a tricky technique to use in movies. As David O. Russell’s “American Hustle” suggested, satire elevates period pieces. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Using a bold screenplay, Phillips captures the lives of army volunteers which experience a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Bradley Cooper delivers one of his greatest performances as Henry Girard. Cooper first earned appreciations for playing alcoholics in comedies. With “War Dogs”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray an army general facing adversity, but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, strong and vulnerable in his most memorable role. Cooper has often excelled playing emotional heroes enduring pressure, and “War Dogs” showcased his strengths as an actor. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and rebellions of an army general facing tensions. It’s a terrific performance from one of the most celebrated actors in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Bradley Cooper, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Miles Teller is magnificent, capturing the tense nature of a young man engaging in drug trafficking causing disaster. Jonah Hill is fantastic, bringing charisma to a youthful army volunteer facing a dilemma. Lastly, Ana de Armas merits appreciation. As a feminist army woman, she is unforgettable.
Finally, “War Dogs” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing war generals that face tension. Unlike most political satires, it tackles bold themes everyone would relate to. It discusses bold themes including angst, mental health and war that would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to take a lasting interest in politics in order to enjoy it. Therefore, “War Dogs” is one of those rare movies about politics which everyone would adore.
Fans of Bradley Cooper will definitely enjoy “War Dogs” an so would movie-goers that seek heartfelt entertainment. A captivating political satire, it honours an actor whose movies audiences admire.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking film about men engaging in an army that causes adversity, it’s a strong reminder of an actor that has established a lasting legacy through his ability to portray compelling characters in memorable movies audiences love dearly.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 