Review of War Dogs (2016) by Chris O — 14 Nov 2016

Based on true events, "War Dogs" is an entertaining and comedic take on a series of crazy and cynical events.

Two friends engage in contracting with the government in an attempt to make big money off of war without ever stepping on the battlefield. However, as they grow bigger in this business, they soon find themselves engaging in shady deals and illegal acts.

This is one of those films where real life people will be dramatized and glamorized for the sake of entertainment, as some people would say. But in my eyes, it's an interesting and entertaining take on a true story. Although the characters won't be the most likable and their actions won't always be justified, it's still a fun ride to embark on and worth a viewing.

Jonah Hill is easily the best part of this movie. He plays this guy who's so serious and sarcastic, yet cynical at the same time. He's filled with dark humor and he's crazy on the outside. Hill brought out the personality and mindset of this character and put on a memorable performance. I've always been a huge fan of Miles Teller, as he's the main star of my favorite movie in history ("Whiplash"). Teller plays this relatable and every day guy that just wants to be able to provide for his family, and I admire that. He's the more relatable aspect of this film and he definitely has his fair share of memorable moments.

This film is filled with dark humor all around, to the extent where you feel bad for laughing at what's actually happening. It's definitely not the funniest movie I've ever seen but it still has a lighter and comedic tone to it. It's one that doesn't take itself too seriously, which is a smart move by the director. The movie will give you some laughs throughout, which is a nice aspect to a movie with an already interesting story.

The overall screenplay is entertaining enough. I keep using the word entertaining because I feel that it's the best description to use for this movie. There isn't a ton of depth and it won't be a thought provoking film, but it's not on the lazy side of the spectrum either. The screenplay is solid and moves at a nice pace, even if it won't introduce anything that you haven't seen before.

In the end, "War Dogs" is a fun film that turns a darker situation into a lighter and comedic perspective.