Warfare - A Movie Review

Had been since Wicked that I got my ass to a movie theater to see a new flick on the Big Screen. But Monday night I went on a dude-date with my buddy Tristan to see Warfare -- Alex Garland's newest film that he co-directed and co-wrote with real life veteran Ray Mendoza. After Ray helped on set of Civil War last year, Mendoza told him of his own experiences in Iraq as a Navy SEAL, and this film is based on an experience he had and the memory of those who lived.

The Plot (Spoiler-Free)

2006, Ramadi, Iraq -- a team of Navy SEALs embark on a mission to gain control of a house in the city. Once inside, they notice unusual activity and prepare for an attack.

***Yes, that's all I got for plot. This is a unique movie that kind of just drops you in and an hour and 34 minutes later it ends. That's not an indictment -- I think the movie works in many ways because of it. But the reality is if you're really driven by plot this will be a tough watch for multiple reasons.***

The Cast

• Will Poulter -- Erik

• D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai -- Ray (as in Ray Mendoza co-director)

• Joseph Quinn -- Sam

• Cosmo Jarvis -- Elliot

• Charles Melton -- Jake

• Kit Conner -- Tommy

• Michael Gandolfini -- LT McDonald

• Taylor John Smith -- Frank

• Noah Centineo -- Zawi

This is a great cast on paper -- and they do a great job in the film as well. But this movie isn't about the cast at all, and you don't get a backstory for any of them. No storylines or character arcs or mission to save Private Ryan. There isn't even a protagonist truly. Sometimes you forget they're even there: like I genuinely forgot certain actors were even in the movie until after because you're so swept away in the action. And I think it's good that it isn't a super well-known cast because I think less cast-obsessed people will get even more locked in. But if there are standouts, it'd be Cosmo Jarvis, Woon-A-Tai, Poulter, and Gandolfini for me. (I still need to see Gladiator 2 but Joseph Quinn could be on quite the run of movies if Fantastic Four works out). (Charles Melton is also electric - not even that he did the most incredible acting of his career, but had the star quality it-factor of a movie star even in this context).

General Thoughts

(Spoiler-Free)

For sure the most unique war movie I've ever seen. Once it got going, it was very intense, exhilarating, harrowing. Aside from the first like 4 minutes, there is no music or added sound to the movie. It's told through the lens of this group of SEALs, and we stay with them the entire runtime. They kind of lull you in -- the first 20-30 minutes is a lot of general recon, looking at maps, reporting status on the radio, and keeping an eye out for unusual activity. But once things kick into motion, gear the fuck up. An hour+ straight of unsettling, terrifying action. (I have a hard time remembering the timing of it because it's so singularly-focused).

The biggest compliment that I can give this movie is that it did something I've never seen before. Truly singular, unique from every single war movie ever made. ANY movie ever made really. There are no stereotypical characters like you see in war movies -- the leader/captain, the funny guy, the tough guy, the cowardly soldier, etc. Just a unit trying to get out of a harrowing experience alive and together. I also really like that it isn't about the politics of war, it's about the experience. It shows the horrors of war as much as any film I've seen -- but it's focus is the traumatic events these people are experiencing. The Big Picture Podcast host Sean Fennessey shared that co-director Ray Mendoza said this about the movie: "This is about What, not Why. There are a lot of places you can go if you want the Why."

I'm not sure I'll ever rewatch this movie -- it really is more so a horror movie than anything else, which already isn't my favorite genre, but is very much worthwhile. It's not trying to be Black Hawk Down, it's a completely unique experience. And it's fucking terrifying and anxiety-inducing at times, but it's beautifully-created and executed. It will stick with me for a really long time and it's a depiction of war that I'll never forget.

Score:

85/100

Check out one of my other movie reviews linked below. Let me know if you've seen Warfare and what you thought about it. Lots of good movies coming out, and I'll always support actually going to the theaters and not just waiting for them to come out on streaming. Go on a date, go with your boys, go with your parents (maybe not this one, but generally).