Rehashed Plot plus Political Agenda Equals Disappointment

Rating: 2/10 (23 September 2005)

Another commentator called this "Blow" but with guns instead of cocaine. It is that plus a hefty anti-government, anti-America, anti-Republican, anti-military and even anti-capitalism type bent. ********* Spoilers Ahead********* (But I think they are just things to look for) The Lt. Col. Oliver North clone is known as Col. Oliver Southern and played at least once by Donald Sutherland, a noted Republican backer (detractor?). He wears a Marine Officer's hat in at least one scene but I am never going to buy the DVD or go back to see it again to check out the uniform stuff. Of course he is the CIA agent that has Orlov run guns for him, acts as his "get out of jail free" card and intercedes with Interpol. Oh, yeah, Interpol. Interpol is a clearing house of information - there are not roving bands of SWATesque Interpol agents intercepting shipping, rousting people on the docks and detaining folks in NYC. And if Liberia has handfuls of Blood Diamonds, why do they need a schmuck middleman from Long Island when a dozen countries would gladly (and covertly) sell him the guns and ammo? This movie debuted between Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the fall of 2005 and the scene where Orlov is talking about hurricanes coming out of no where and another when locals are stripping an airplane both got laughs. During the latter some theatre patrons were heard to joke, "Looks like they landed in New Orleans". Orlov comments that trying to get ahead legally is hard work - well, welcome to the United States. The constant references to the US being the largest arms dealer, the US having a kangaroo court to fix the 2000 elections, the US turning a blind eye to crime the government commits, the US supporting rebels, the US police unable to catch Orlov but giving the Liberian President a motorcycle escort got to be too much. In reality, Orlov would have been gotten by the IRS for "lifestyle". And if indeed Orlov did get in the way of established arms dealers, he would not still be alive. The "R" was for the F-words and not the marginal nudity. Perhaps the greatest stumbling block for me was Cage. Nicholas Cage, gifted actor no doubt, but so much more believable as the inept lover in Moonstruck or the first time burglar in National Treasure. He was just not believable as an Italian Officer in Capt. Correlli's Mandolin (whatever) and I just can't see him as a smooth international dealer - Ian Holm, yes, but not Cage. If you like seeing Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 bashed, plus the CIA, Supreme Court and American military structure all derided, then this film will have some extras for you. ******* Spoilers be ahead******* Suspension of disbelief required for a powered landing by a four engine turboprop (Soviet variant of C-130) to be silent and with all the people scrambling for a last minute avoidance of the plane that no one gets beheaded by the props?!?!?! Also, how do you sit in a suit for 24 hours handcuffed and not soil yourself during that time? Was Orlov wearing Depends??? This annoying film gets one star.