Netflix's new science-fiction action offering, "War Machine," starring Alan Ritchson, leans heavily into its established genre tropes, presenting a familiar spectacle of soldiers versus aliens that, while featuring explosive action, struggles to forge a memorable impact. Directed by Patrick Hughes, the film, available now, delivers a straightforward "humans versus an alien threat" narrative, a premise that, despite its inherent potential for both visceral thrills and deeper commentary, largely remains superficial.
The film's core conceit involves a squad of U.S. Rangers encountering a colossal, extraterrestrial war machine during a strenuous training exercise. This setup, reminiscent of classic alien invasion narratives like "Predator," offers ample opportunity for high-octane sequences. Director Hughes, known for helming "The Expendables 3" and "The Hitman's Bodyguard," brings his penchant for "viscerally forceful action scenes" to the forefront, ensuring a constant barrage of explosions and combat. Alan Ritchson, celebrated for his imposing physicality in "Reacher," carries the lead role as the unit's commander, "81." His presence is noted as a strong point, consistently elevating the material, though some reviews suggest his charisma, while present, is insufficient to salvage the film's overall lack of originality.
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The narrative framework of "War Machine" appears to follow a pattern established by streaming productions, commencing with a powerful opening to capture immediate viewer attention. This approach is acknowledged as effective in its initial stages, but the film's momentum and impact are described as waning over time, with some critics noting that the plot doesn't break new ground and the action, while serviceable, isn't revolutionary. The story also incorporates elements of 81's tragic past, which are revealed through flashbacks during opportune and inopportune moments, adding a layer of personal trauma to the intergalactic conflict. However, these personal details, much like the film's broader narrative, are largely perceived as basic and fail to leave a lasting impression.
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The film has been characterized as a "lean, mean Predator redux" and a "Transformers"-esque encounter, highlighting its derivative nature. While the production attempts to blend "big stunts with an overly simple story," and delivers on spectacle with sci-fi visual effects, the overall sentiment suggests a missed opportunity for something more substantial. The execution is described as "mostly" getting things right, but the movie ultimately serves as a temporary fix, offering a fun-size experience that satisfies immediate cravings for action without leaving a significant imprint. The lack of originality is a recurring theme, with comparisons to existing franchises underscoring its reliance on familiar elements.
Background and Context
"War Machine" is distributed by Netflix and boasts a cast including Blake Richardson, Keiynan Lonsdale, Daniel Webber, Jai Courtney, Esai Morales, Stephan James, and Dennis Quaid. The film, with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes, is rated R. The production is helmed by producers Todd Lieberman, Alexander Young, Patrick Hughes, Greg McLean, and Rich Cook, with Valerie Bleth Sharp serving as executive producer. The technical aspects include cinematography by Aaron Morton, production design by Enzo Iacono, editing by Andy Canny, and a score by Dmitri Golovko. The costuming is credited to Cappi Ireland, and casting was managed by Deanna Brigidi, Andrea Bunker, and Amanda Mitchell. The film's director, Patrick Hughes, previously directed "The Expendables 3" and "The Hitman's Bodyguard," indicating a clear stylistic direction for "War Machine."
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