Impressive

Rating: 8/10 (21 January 2006)

Edgy, moving, and strangely inspiring, Lord of War is probably in my opinion, one of the best movies I've watched this year. Nicholas Cage's dreary persona compliments Yuri's discreet character very well. And though it's hard to imagine Jared Leto (who's come a long way since My So-Called Life) as Nicholas Cages' brother, both actors do an extraordinary job in their portrayal.
The story lines spins out from Yuri's sudden discovery in the fact that he'd been blind to see what could make him a powerful cash crop was right in front of his face. Living in a neighborhood in which the obituaries should be fives pages long, Yuri set out with his capricious flighty brother to sell illegal firearms to foreign countries. At this point, it's hard to tell whether he's oblivious or just plain uncaring to the fact he's assisting in the murder of thousands of people this way.
Enter the alluring Ava Fontaine, or Yuri's 'dream girl' as he had previously named her in his days of admiring from afar. But after stocking up on enough cash and guts to double-deal his way into her affection, those days are clearly over. Bridget Moynahan's chemistry with Cage could be/should be better, but she does an exceptional job in playing out the anguished trophy wife Eventually, Yuri find himself pulled deeper into his baneful role as the supplier of lethal weaponry, or as third world country tyrant Andre Sr. dubs him, "Lord of War." And it's not long before he realizes that he's dug himself into a hole deeper than he could climb out of.
On a slightly different note, if you're easily disheartened or distressed by volatile images or situations, this movie is not for you.