War, Inc. (2008)

Director:

Joshua Seftel

Writers (WGA):

Mark Leyner (written by) &
Jeremy Pikser (written by) ...

Release Date:

4 September 2008 (Russia)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Thriller

Tagline:

When it comes to war...America means business

Plot:

A political satire set in Turaqistan, a country occupied by an American private corporation run by a former US Vice-President (Aykroyd)...

Plot Keywords:

Central Asia | CIA Agent | Underground Bunker | Implant | Restaurant

US Showtimes:

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Cast

John Cusack	...	Brand Hauser
Joan Cusack	...	Marsha Dillon
Marisa Tomei	...	Natalie Hegalhuzen
Hilary Duff	...	Yonica Babyyeah
Ben Kingsley	...	Walken
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Dan Aykroyd	...	The Vice President
Ned Bellamy	...	Zubleh / Ooq-Yu-Fay Taqnufmini
Velizar Binev	...	German Businessman
Shirly Brener	...	Hauser's Wife
Marc Casabani	...	Various (voice)
Ben Cross	...	Medusa Hair
Doug Dearth	...	Geoff
Itai Diakov	...	Boy
Georgi Gatzov	...	Soundman
Nick Harvey	...	Preacher
John McLaughlin	...	Himself
Lyubomir Neikov	...	Omar
Rachel O'Meara	...	Implanted Reporter
Velislav Pavlov	...	Video Guy #2
Bashar Rahal	...	Video Guy #1
Joost Scholte	...	Cashier
Stanimir Stamatov	...	Posse Guy
Davorka Tovilo
Sergej Trifunovic	...	Ooq-Mi-Fay Taqnufmini
Montel Williams	...	GuideStar (voice)
George Zlatarev	...	Director

Also Known As:

Brand Hauser: Stuff Happens (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, language and brief sexual material.

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | German

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Nu Boyana Film Studios, Sofia, Bulgaria

Company:

New Crime Productions

Trivia:

John Cusack first became interested in making the film when he read Naomi Klein's 2004 article "Baghdad Year Zero".

Goofs:

Continuity: When Brand Hauser exits the building-ruins after rescuing Natalie Hegalhuzen you can clearly see him putting away one of the two pistols, namingly his right one, and waving with his left arm. The very next shot shows him putting away both pistols, his right, then his left.

Quotes:

Natalie Hegalhuzen: [upon hearing an explosion outside] When did they start attacking inside the Emerald City?
Brand Hauser: I wouldn't call that an attack.
[explosion goes off right outside office]
Brand Hauser: Technically, that was a bombing. At least it sounded like it was. Not an attack, which would imply something else.

Movie Connections:

References "Happy Days" (1974)

Soundtrack:

ABOUN SALEHOUN

A thoroughly entertaining film.

Let me start by saying that "War, Inc" is not everyone's cup of tea. It is, however, very enjoyable (and gets you thinking - "Oh, crap"). The comedy involved the film isn't obvious at all - it's quite subtle (Tamerlane tanks, dry-cleaning service etc), and it changes with the twists & turns in the plot.

I may be the only one, but I won't compare this with "Grosse Point Blank", because, it's different. John Cusack - I wouldn't say he was "amazing" or "brilliant" - but he was good. On the other hand, his sister (Joan Cusack) was incredible in her delivery of lines & comedic timing - even though she was hardly in the film (I'd say the same about Ben Kingsley).

Marisa Tomei plays a convincing reporter, and manages to pull it off. Hilary Duff is very commendable for her role as central Asian pop star Yonica Babyyeah. Duff's development as an actress is very noticeable in the film, and she does a very good job (even though her accent is a tad unreal).

Overall, the film is what I would call "entertaining". It doesn't have a particular storyline, and it's quite silly at times, but it does have a subtle message. I'd say it's worth a watch.