War Machine

Netflix | Release Date: May 26, 2017

6.1	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 88 Ratings

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User Reviews

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laughfactoryMay 27, 2017

What a snooze-fest. The only reason I watched it until 50% was because I really like Brad Pitt. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore and started skipping ahead five minutes at a time just so I could see how it ended. This movie fails, simplyWhat a snooze-fest. The only reason I watched it until 50% was because I really like Brad Pitt. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore and started skipping ahead five minutes at a time just so I could see how it ended. This movie fails, simply put, to entertain. It's just a movie which sets out to, quite clearly, lecture the audience for two hours. It's a waste of Brad Pitt's (and all the supporting cast's) efforts. Watching that same cast spend two hours sitting in a room discussing everything that's wrong with war, and counter-insurgency tactics, and nation building would be more interesting than this turd. It was beautiful shot, and had a great sound track, but otherwise I thought it was poorly written and poorly directed. What a waste of time.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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psyberdelicMay 30, 2017

Netflix missed the real story. Having Pitt play the McChrystal stand in character McMahon as a doofus as opposed to a tragic figure is a shame. The real life commander went from an innovative leader to someone who didn't follow his ownNetflix missed the real story. Having Pitt play the McChrystal stand in character McMahon as a doofus as opposed to a tragic figure is a shame. The real life commander went from an innovative leader to someone who didn't follow his own ideas. As a result we could have had a moving story about a fall from grace but got a dumb cariacture instead.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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eagleeyevikingJun 24, 2017

Amusing and interesting, but ultimately unmemorable, War Machine rises to the occasion thanks to Brad Pitt, as well as the solid script, which educates audiences about the Middle Eastern crisis well.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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RalfbergsSep 29, 2017

Great cast, but for me the movie was just plain boring. I am writing this after some time has past since I saw the movie and can barely even remember what happened in it.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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Muskrat147May 26, 2017

An interesting idea ruined by uneven execution and scattershot laughs, War Machine is well intended, but even the most patient of viewers will find Netflix's new original to be contradicting in nature, and partially obnoxious.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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KaptenVideoSep 2, 2017

Netflix-produced two-hour satire about the U.S. general (Brad Pitt) sent to Afghanistan to 'clean' the situation up after eight years of war in the country. Nobody around him thinks they can „win“ anymore, but this is the mission he takes forNetflix-produced two-hour satire about the U.S. general (Brad Pitt) sent to Afghanistan to 'clean' the situation up after eight years of war in the country. Nobody around him thinks they can „win“ anymore, but this is the mission he takes for himself.
Also playing Anthony Michael Hall, John Magaro, Topher Grace, Aymen Hamdouchi, Ben Kingsley, Tilda Swinton, Scoot McNairy et al.
It’s witty at times but often feels more like a overlong political comedy sketch than a proper movie, especially in the first half where voiceover tends to dominate „proper“ storytelling.
„War Machine“ centres on Brad Pitt’s character but this one-man-show won’t probably charm many of his fans. I don’t think the man has ever done less acting on screen, channeling Gen. Turgidson from „Dr. Strangelove“ or whatever big-name high-ranking military official pops to your mind while watching.
Pitt's one-note performance relies mostly one one or two facial impression which would be OK for „Saturday Night Live“ skit or something, but it’s nowhere near enough for a character carrying a two-hour movie.
Based on book by Michael Hastings, written and directed by David Michôd who has shown promise with his earlier work, writing and directing crime dramas “Animal Kingdom” and “The Rover” plus co-writing 2010’s cult comedy “Hesher”.
I would say “War Machine” will not be remembered as his great great follow-up project, but it’s also true that I care little about political movies.
In this case, the other critics seem to not care much, either. Metacritic’s score is 56/100, Rotten Tomatoes’s is 53/100.
The main problem is that at 122 minutes, it’s way too long. Half of that would have been enough. Making it through feels like a chore, not like a biting satire about war.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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imconorirlApr 28, 2020

So, this definitely isn't a comedy... If it's truly meant to be then it's one of the most confusing and weird comedies I've ever seen. That's probably why this film misses it's potential, because it doesn't know what it wants to be. There's aSo, this definitely isn't a comedy... If it's truly meant to be then it's one of the most confusing and weird comedies I've ever seen. That's probably why this film misses it's potential, because it doesn't know what it wants to be. There's a couple nice performances but Brad Pitt isn't at his best here. Honestly, he's about an olympic sized swimming pool away from it. A couple of scenes do really pull you in and got me interested but then it was just kinda... over?… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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