Shoot early. Shoot often.

Rating: 9/10 (20 February 2007)

The story of how Yuri Orlov went from being the son of a working class immigrant to notorious international arms dealer. From hiding his "business life" from his wife, evading a determined Inter Pol agent, getting his brother out of trouble, and selling a very powerful (unfortunately so) political tool.
Visually inventive (love that intro!), politically daring with a non-indulgent role from a Hollywood star this what good movies are made of. Also the film's focus is on Orlov and not on his merchandise making the movie a look into the arms dealing business not just a look at it. Gets into his mind and life and essentially portrays a shameless greedy bastard as just a day-to-day working human being. In fact, no one character is at all demonized here as opposed to typical political thrillers that draw out characters in black and white or nearly so. The plot follows suit the same way: the portrayal of a criminal business as both salvation and destruction. One that ends as many wars as it starts and saves as many lives as it destroys.
Load up and watch. --- 9/10
Rated R: violence, drug use and profanity