Teller and Hill showing talent beyond their years

Rating: 7/10 (11 June 2019)

Without the lead duo, War Dogs wouldn't be much more than an unusual tale dressed up for the big screen; fortunately, the casting is immaculate. Before seeing this, I would have placed Miles Teller (Whiplash, Fantastic Four) in the category of my least favourite actors (a mixture of public persona and previous films), but he has obviously matured since his earlier performances into an actor with quality range. However, Jonah Hill (Superbad, Wolf of Wall Street) is the unleashed personality of the film - a brash personality with expensive taste and an iconic laugh like no other.
The storyline follows the leads trying to pave their way into the international arms industry, moving from small-fry deals to bidding on the biggest international contracts. David (Teller) tries to juggle work alongside his pregnant and strongly anti-war girlfriend, whilst Efraim (Hill) drags him deeper into the murky waters of war. The dark horse for me is Bradley Cooper's Henry - a brilliant portrayal of a man who has already crossed ethical lines trying to make money, giving the duo a glimpse of what their futures could end up being.
Oddly enough, the soundtrack is one of the most refined cinema has had in years: every track selection captures the scene perfectly, no mean feat given the potential for nearly any scene to morph from comedic to gravely serious. The accompanying scenes of both over-the-top brashness and flaunting of wealth across the globe perfectly captures the public image of arms dealers, making War Dogs an enjoyable romp through the lives of those living off war's inevitability.