Review of 'War Machine'
Suffering the trauma of losing his brother and the rest of his troupe while on duty in Afghanistan a Sargent (Alan Ritchson) joins RASP (Ranger Assessment and Selection Program), determined to fulfil the promise he made to his brother. He is determined to complete the programme and “cross over the line” at the end of the final challenge but, while excelling in his individual efforts to the point of insanity he is unable to work well in a group. Picked up by regiment leaders Sergeant Major Sheridan (Dennis Quaid) and First Sergeant Torres (Esai Morales) they suggest he leave the program but he refuses so they make him a team leader in the final exercise to see if he can rise to the challenge. So far so typical military recruitment video. The Science Fiction bit now: During the exercise his team come across a futuristic craft that they are unable to blow up with explosives but turns out to be a massive robot which landed on Earth from a passing asteroid that begins to methodically kill each and every one of them. Will he overcome this overwhelming threat and bring his team to safety?
To be honest this whole thing feels a bit like a US military recruitment video with the slight twist that along the way they suffer huge losses against a foe that, let's face it, has quite an easily spotted flaw that is drummed into our heads throughout the film…without giving too much away. It is a typical “will they get out of this alive” film with copious, visceral violence (mostly gratuitous), lots of gun battles and testosterone aplenty…yes, that's right, not many females here – This is a macho fest. So, not much new here, feeling more like a relic of the previous century of film making with the exception of better looking special effects.
Alan Ritchson, it has to be said, gets right into it and is quite a formidable force throughout in terms of dominating the screen but also with a sheer strength of will but of whom we learn very little other than his single minded ambition to become a Ranger. The supporting acts are generally unforgettable, yes, including an almost unrecognizable Dennis Quaid as the regimental leader.
An action-packing, ultra-violent military thriller/recruitment video that harkens back to the 20th century as a “man overcomes overwhelming odds” with an extra-terrestrial death robot thrown in. Sigh. Had been hoping we had moved on. Very disappointing and underwhelming…though the action is impressive.
Rating: “Not great, but not the worse”
Review Date: 2026-11-07
Directed by: Patrick Hughes
Studio: Emu Creek Pictures
Year: 2026
Length: 106 minutes
Genre: Science Fiction
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15940132/
Other reviewed films by Patrick Hughes:
- The Hitman's Bodyguard (2017)