FilmSnobReviews

Title: War Machine
MPAA Rating: TV-MA
Director: David Michôd
Starring: Brad Pitt, Emory Cohen, RJ Cyler
Runtime: 2 hrs 2 mins

What It Is: General Glen McMahon (Pitt) is hired to try and assist in the counterinsurgency against the enemy in Afghanistan. He and his loyal band of soldiers are in place to try and figure out how to better communicate with the people in this country. McMahon is a stalwart man. Sleeping minimally and eating even less, his only thoughts are of how to best execute his gameplan. When a writer for Rolling Stone pops up to investifate life in Afghanistan, McMahon’s reign is threatened.

What We Think: First off, War Machine has a plethora of pacing issues. Pitt carries the film with his performance, and the relationship he has with his men is compelling–a relationship that feels far more organic, unfortunately, than the one with his wife. In this way, and more, the script is a mess: it never takes any risks. The film’s editing needs some work as there are scenes that are jarringly disjointed. Nevertheless, there is still some fun to be had with War Machine. Michôd is capable of more than this, as evidenced by his debut Animal Kingdom or even his follow up The Rover. War Machine lacked the bite that either of those films had.

Our Grade: D+

 Netflix’s films are hit or miss so far–as it is with any production company–and this is one you can skip. Unless you’re a particular fan of Brad Pitt, there is nothing about War Machine that is especially worthwhile. I will look forward to what Michôd does next, as I think he’s a good director, but for now, you can leave this war dramedy where it lies. I recommend, in its place, that anybody watch GLOW or The Defenders as those are much better.