A good solid film, raises some interesting points

Rating: 6/10 (16 October 2005)

Having just seen this film I believe to rate it on the whole as a very good film. Again Nicolas cage turns out a very good (and convincing) role as a Ukrainian immigrant to the US who starts to develop a natural role for dealing in arms.
The opening line of the film had me hooked on it straight away:
"There are 550 million firearms in worldwide circulation, thats a firearm for one in every 12 people on the planet, the only problem is... how do we arm the other 11?"
Even if you find yourself not enjoying the film, there are plenty of nifty little statistics and historical facts which will keep you entertained throughout.
The film has a slight echo of goodfellas about it, as the character of Nicolas Cage, 'Yuri', grows up in a run down neighbourhood with his brother and slowly rises to the power of his profession with his brother.
Of course the film does raise the issue of morality with arms dealing, and you can feel the strong moral at the end with Yuri's brother.
I won't ruin the film, but the acting is strong and the story interesting and well written. The only criticism I have of the film is that the constant jumping from one year to the next can make the story feel a little loose at times, but apart from that a good film.
8/10