An excellent surprise

Rating: 8/10 (18 April 2007)

The initial advertising for this film seemed to bill it as another Nicholas Cage action vehicle in the mold of The Rock or Con Air. With the trailers focusing heavily on shots of planes crashing, explosions, and bullet-holes, I wrote this movie off. That was a mistake. Lord of War might be one of the best films of 2005. Its look into the worldwide arms trade acquires the authentic feel of a documentary while remaining an exciting ride. Cage has been hit-or-miss in recent roles but is excellent here as brutally cold arms dealer Yuri Orlov. Jared Leto likewise excels as his guilt-ridden and drug-addicted brother, perhaps drawing on his previous experience in Requiem for a Dream. Bridget Moynahan serves as Cage's romantic interest in the film but is not given all that much to do. Ethan Hawke shows up briefly but is very effective as Interpol Agent Valentine.
Lord of War, far from being a typical action movie, directly exposes the horrors of the international arms trade and the brutal conflicts that are ignited for its sake.
An extremely well-crafted film. 9/10.