Key Highlights
- ‘War Machine’ is a generic sci-fi action film starring Alan Ritchson for Netflix.
- The plot involves Rangers battling an alien robot from outer space.
- The script is weak and the characters are indistinguishable.
- Director Patrick Hughes stages action scenes well, but the dialogue is poor.
- Ritchson’s charisma can’t save a one-note film experience.
Generic Sci-Fi Action on Netflix
‘War Machine’ is the second Netflix movie with the same title as the 2017 Brad Pitt starrer, so good luck finding it if you’re searching for it. Alan Ritchson, known from the ‘Reacher’ franchise, leads a platoon of U.S. Rangers who encounter an alien robot that looks like a massive Roomba with legs.
The film is designed to boost your testosterone levels and might appeal to those born too late to have seen classic 80s and 90s sci-fi action movies.
War Machine starts with Ritchson’s character, “81,” reliving his traumatic past through flashbacks. The first half features mindless training exercises that feel like a commercial break between episodes of ‘The Expendables.’ Despite some well-staged action sequences and Ritchson’s bulk, the film struggles to distinguish itself.
Weak Script and Indistinguishable Characters
The screenplay by Patrick Hughes and James Beaufort is weak, with lines like “Help me with 7!” sounding like a student asking for test answers. The characters are indistinguishable, named only as numbers (109, 7, etc.), making the audience struggle to remember who’s who.
Director Patrick Hughes stages action scenes skillfully, having directed ‘The Expendables 3’ and its sequels. There are some terrifically staged sequences, including traversing rapids with an overhead rope, but the dialogue and character development fall flat.
Ritchson’s Charisma Fails to Rescue
Alan Ritchson displays his usual charisma as “81,” but it’s not enough to save a one-note experience. The film’s R rating is well-deserved due to the graphic violence, but the script doesn’t give him many opportunities for emotional depth or physicality.
The climactic sequence involves Ritchson battling the alien machine with a massive excavator, which he does convincingly. However, despite his bulk and charisma, the film’s one-note nature limits his range of performance.
Conclusion
‘War Machine’ is not all it could be. While Patrick Hughes directs action scenes effectively, the script and character development are weak. The movie aims for a gung-ho patriotic note but falls short due to its generic plot and poor dialogue.
You might think this is new, but it’s more of the same in the sci-fi action genre.
War Machine will probably leave out the fact that it was shot primarily in Australia. So, if you’re looking for a mindless time-killer with some impressive stunts, ‘War Machine’ on Netflix might be your choice.
