War Dogs

Welcome back to Todd Phillips, who after resting (rightfully) after The Hangover (2009) and coasting from Hangover 2 and 3, is back as director with a good true story movie about the rise and fall of 2 regular guy- arms dealers.  Two nice Jewish boys from Florida (of course) who get in the business and then quickly over their heads.

Based on the Rolling Stone article, the story was optioned right away for a movie.  Jonah Hill plays Efraim billed as the leader and Miles Teller plays David his old friend.  They find a loophole that allows their company to bid on war contracts and because the industry is so large, they are able to get a piece of the very large pie, making them big bucks.  Good while it lasts, right?  And nothing good last forever, right?

There's a lot to like here.  This is probably the best of the Iraq/Afghanistan auxillary side of the war movies that have come out (Rock the Casbah, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot).  And it is done very much in the style of The Big Short, down to the trip to Las Vegas, the narration, the visual clues as to who is who, and the chapter storytelling.   Cinematography is excellent and it seemed pretty clear that it was the same (good) look as the Hangover - same director of cinematography Lawrence Sher.  Good job.

Bradley Cooper rounds out the usual gang starring her as the shady international man Henry.  Like in a farce, he wears these silly oversized glasses.  The Brad Pitt problem - too good looking, have to mess up the look a bit.  Cooper also co-produced the movie so he knew a good thing to get in on.

It's a good bunch to have - hope they continue working on original materials.

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