Stunning performance, solid underlying message, great movie

Rating: 8/10 (5 March 2020)

It's not every day that Amnesty International endorses a movie.
Lord of War is a cynical and nihilistic look at the arms dealing industry. The film does meticulous work covering every aspect of the industry. No apologies made for any controversy portrayed.
The movie is well researched and the conflicts are all real. Some real-life names are different. but the details to smuggling methods and weapons smuggled were enlightening. Special commentary on the brutality of the trade was also eye-opening.
But, overambition did drag this Lord of Wardown a bit. This film seeks to cram too much information. Some plot points seem forced and the story changes flow often. But I'd rather have a film telling me too much than too little.
Also, another issue I had with Lord of War was that there were a few inaccuracies. The opening factory scene, for example, is not how real bullets are made. The beginning CGI was also a bit aged in some aspects. Some guns described were inaccurate. But these mistakes are forgivable since it didn't take too much away from the movie.
I'd rate this film a 4/5. Highly recommended and worth a revisiting. A modern remake would do this film justice. Out of the many movies Nicolas Cage is in, this is one of my more favorite movies starring him.