This Movie Owns

Rating: 9/10 (17 December 2005)

"There are over 550 million firearms in worldwide circulation. That's one firearm for every twelve people on the planet. The only question is: How do we arm the other 11?" Also, why did Nicolas Cage's movies disappear so quickly from theaters this year (the other one being "Weather Man")? This is one of the best films of 2005, definitely in the top 3. It's a great action, a great drama, a great political statement. But most of all it's a great romance. Lord of War tells of a man who rises from the low ranks of gun-running to become a world class arms dealer, not unlike Scarface or Goodfellas. Along the way, he tricks his childhood crush into becoming his wife and is hunted by rogue agent Ethan Hawke. When the you-know-what hits the fan, will Cage choose his family and wife over his love of money? And either way, will it be too late with Hawke closing in? Based on true events in the world of gun running, and especially interesting the way Liberia and Sierra Leone are portrayed. What looked like a dark comedy from the previews turns out to be the social commentary of the year (although maybe tied with Syriana). Highest possible recommendation.