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7

NightReviewsFeb 9, 2017

Philosopher Thomas Hobbes foretold a future “War of All Against All” in his book Leviathan, published in 1651. In his political/philosophical novel, he wrote his masterpiece during the English Civil War, which occurred from 1642-1651, arguingPhilosopher Thomas Hobbes foretold a future “War of All Against All” in his book Leviathan, published in 1651. In his political/philosophical novel, he wrote his masterpiece during the English Civil War, which occurred from 1642-1651, arguing that a state of sovereignty is the only which way a body of politics can operate, without interference for third party or outside sources and individuals. His “War of All Against All” is an idea that was derived from the ‘state of nature argument’, where government can only be successful if it is strong, undivided and unified.

Now, I’m not sure if writer/director John Michael McDonagh intentionally wrote a script and titled a picture that could [not only be] so relevant in the United States with regards to government and policing today, but also, be such a comical and cynical interpretation of the very brutalities happening within America involving its citizens and civilians with such bravado, and most of all…balls. One has to wonder, is McDonagh warning everyone, or just laughing at them, especially since it’s titled is source from such a serious and foreboding doctrine.

McDonagh, who was born in London, England, but is most notably known for being a very predominant Irish citizen, and the older brother of Martin McDonagh (considered one of the greatest living Irish playwrights today) delved deep, back into crime comedy genre with War On Everyone after The Guard became the most successful Irish Independent film of all time. Similar to The Guard, which starred his frequent collaborator and muse Brendan Gleeson, McDonagh decided to shoot his third film in the United States for the first time, keeping away from his native Irish land, and uses the landscapes of Albuquerque, New Mexico as a hellish field of nightmares. Surrounding his narrative on two very intractable corrupt cops who makes it their mission in life, and in their careers, to make every scumbag and criminal who crosses their path, as miserable and unfortunate as possible, War on Everyone is easily one of the most unsettling yet hard-hitting black comedies of 2016 that leaves all regard out the door.

While the premise and story of War is nothing to marvel at, the film itself, is easily one of the hardest films to look away from and not finish, thanks to the outlandish and quite unexpected direction McDonagh decided to take his story and characters on. Luckily for us, McDonagh decided to venture off with new actors to play the role of intimidating **** cops on crack, to a new level.

With Peña, an actor who isn’t unfamiliar with playing policemen or governing officials in the past, thanks to roles in Babel, Observe and Report, My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done, Gangster Squad, Vacation, the upcoming CHIPS and of course, one of my favourite of Peña’s roles, Mike Zavala in David Ayer’s masterpiece End of Watch, Peña could practically get a job as a cop with all his experience in the role. As Peña’s partner, McDonagh choose someone who has never played a cop before. Luckily for us, actor Alexander Skarsgård literally stumbled upon the role from a video that went viral, showcasing the actor at a soccer match, drunkenly rooting for his team, leading a chant, and being completely and utterly intoxicated, making not only a huge fool of himself, but showing director McDonagh everything he needed to see for his beloved Terry character. Thanks for Skarsgård behaviour during his intense period of inebriation, the video secured the role for the towering actor, whose character Terry is an un-wreckable force of chaos and brutality with no brake or lever for control, a role Skarsgård completely punches and bruises into us without apology. Skarsgård is absolutely, unapolgetically, relentlessly perfect as Terry.

While every citizen in The United States are well aware of their rights, including the right to remain silent, War is a film that really doesn’t say too much, other than offer an unlimited sources of one-liners and crass, crude jokes, heavy racial slander and bizarre perspective of criminals, but also allows the action seen on screen to speak for itself. Certain scenes in the film play off as set pieces in a play, where the intention and purpose of meaning is never really understood or comprehended, showing off personalities of certain characters and their interaction with one another, as well as bizarre interpretation of the coming to reality of a scorn and doomed society. One of these very characters is the introduction of Jackie Harris (Tessa Thompson), who plays Terry’s love interest, and inevitable life-partner. The two share very awkward tonal scenes that resemble instances of a musical, a horror and a romantic comedy, yet, Jackie’s relationship with Terry reveals absolutely nothing about him, other than his inconsistent ability to enforce ethics and morals to people, without ever compromising his own corrupt personality and desire and obsession with greed.… Expand

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6

RalfbergsFeb 7, 2017

The movie was good, but something was missing. Had some humour in it and some laughable moments, but the storyline wasn't that good in my opinion. I mean it was dumb at some points. I watched in 2 weeks ago and have forgotten most of whatThe movie was good, but something was missing. Had some humour in it and some laughable moments, but the storyline wasn't that good in my opinion. I mean it was dumb at some points. I watched in 2 weeks ago and have forgotten most of what happened in it, just remember the ending scene which was in itself funny, but made the whole movie a bit dumb too. I don't know, I can't find anything really bad to say about it but can't find any really good things either. You can watch it if you don't have anything better - also I did hope for something more from the movie (because the trailer was intriguing)… Expand

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8

iCronicAug 9, 2017

The Second best comedy of 2016 behind Deadpool. In my Top 15 best movies of 2016. Won't be funny to you if you have a tumblr account

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9

DumnomniiFeb 7, 2017

This is one of those films that at the start looks like the standard cop comedy movie, but as it moves along, it goes to places you wouldn't expect, has the sort of niche humour that in years to come, people will rate it as one of the greatThis is one of those films that at the start looks like the standard cop comedy movie, but as it moves along, it goes to places you wouldn't expect, has the sort of niche humour that in years to come, people will rate it as one of the great cult movies. Fantastic use of soundtrack and locations, with a plot that keeps you gripped to the end. And I laughed out loud at some of the great lines.… Expand

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7

BlackManta_777May 28, 2017

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. **SPOILERS AHEAD** It was hard for me rate this film. Is it good? Ultimately, no. However, there are many elements that work so well that the movie exhibits flashes of the stellar movie that it could have been. The dialogue, characters, and acting are all fantastic, and for most of its runtime it exhibits a refreshing willingness to push buttons and cross boundaries. Sadly, the movie has a few serious flaws that keep me from offering an unqualified recommendation. First off, the plot had a few problems. There are a handful of sequences (like the conversation about jellyfish) that add nothing to the story, and not in a Tarantino-esque “cool non sequitur” way. There are whole subplots, like the trip to Iceland, that seem to exist solely as the setup for jokes. Similarly, some bizarre elements (like the burqa-wearing women playing tennis or the flamboyant character played by Caleb Landry Jones) pop up awkwardly out of the blue, stick around for a scene or two to provide comedic material, then disappear again.

The reveal that the villains are in league with pedophiles felt like a third-act Hail Mary to provide a traditional showdown between good and evil. Most of the movie up to that point is rooted in amorality, and that’s part of what makes it entertaining and unique. The two main characters (they can't really be called "heroes") are corrupt cops who routinely engage in all sorts of wrongdoing (including drunk driving, abusing cocaine, doling out vicious beatings, and bullying children). Associating the villains with pedophiles seems like a blatant attempt to render the main characters more sympathetic in comparison. The other big problem is tone. When “War on Everyone” gets it right, it's great. Part of the joy of the first 3/4 is the thrill of seeing a movie dedicated to totally irredeemable characters. The dialogue is politically incorrect in the best way – funny, irreverent, and fearless. But for a movie this extreme to work, it has to maintain a consistent tone throughout (“Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang” is an example of a movie that gets it right). There are times when "War on Everything" seems a little too smugly self-satisfied, too enamored with it’s own coolness. It’s as if the filmmakers are nudging in in the ribs and saying "Can you believe we're getting away with this?" The movie is clearly indebted to Quentin Tarantino, but the difference is that Tarantino’s style never seems contrived.

Despite all this, I did give the movie a 7. Why? Because, truthfully, I would rather watch a dozen movies like “War on Everyone” than a conventional movie that achieves its aims. It’s a bit of a mess, but (for the most part) it’s a bold and unique one. It swings for the fences and fails, but I have to applaud its nerve. It had the potential to achieve greatness, and it falls short of that mark. However, it would be a mistake to throw the baby out with the bathwater. “War on Everyone” is still a brisk, entertaining movie, and I will probably watch it again.… Expand

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8

saunderizerOct 14, 2017

Very good film, good laughs (the payoff when they go overseas to find their informant is brilliant), stylish cinematography. Pena and Skarsgard have great chemistry, and even though they're douches, are extremely likeable. This should be aVery good film, good laughs (the payoff when they go overseas to find their informant is brilliant), stylish cinematography. Pena and Skarsgard have great chemistry, and even though they're douches, are extremely likeable. This should be a cult classic within the next few years with any hope. The only thing lacking is a truly threatening bad guy; I get they're trying something different with the British lord and the wimpy sidekick who think that their money and status will fix everything, but the late revelation that drives the two main characters to the climax doesn't feel connected to the two main antagonists (in fact most involved aren't around to discuss it). But still, Pena and (I swear I'll never spell his name right but he should play Doc Savage!) Skarsgard are terrific, and nice to see Paul Reiser in a decent role (It wasn't anywhere near as good as "Seinfeld", but I liked "Mad About You" back in the day)… Expand

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5

CoKronakanOct 30, 2018

This movie really felt like a joke, especially at the first half of the movie. It felt like it wasn't taken seriously by neither the cast and especially by the director, and sadly this feeling wasn't lifted till the end of the movie. ItThis movie really felt like a joke, especially at the first half of the movie. It felt like it wasn't taken seriously by neither the cast and especially by the director, and sadly this feeling wasn't lifted till the end of the movie. It really is a joke. Honestly don't know how all these highly payed actors got in on this joke and though that it's going to be a good movie. And some of them where even in character like Alexander and Pena but it just wasn't enough when it came to overall performance. And the directors style....well, it's just so bad that even a freshly film school graduate can make better. And the writing and the script, also so lazy and cheesy. Although the humor is there but because the jokes a recycled from other movies, or pop culture references it's so cliche. The cinematography on the first half is lazy and utterly bad. But there are 2-3 scenes which where really genial, and overall topped the cinematography. But the scenes where edited in such a bad fashion that most of the time the viewer wouldn't know what he's watching, what is happening or what he's looking at. Also the whole movie is tiring because it looks like there are no esthetical transitions. But the sound effect and the visuals where great, even the action scenes, of which there are very few in order to be considered and action movie. Pacing issues are real heavy, here but I already touched this subject from one point of view. The plot is simple as it can get and it's cliche as hell. Overall this a painfully average movie, because the actors somewhat save the movie, and the fact that the few thing the movie did right it did VERY well. So these things save the film from not being below average.… Expand

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5

NickTheCritickAug 21, 2022

This is undoubtely my least favourite John Michael McDonagh's movie. He seems to be too immature here, the timing of the action never fits that much and the script hides a bit. It's not a terrible movie of course but J. M. M. is capable ofThis is undoubtely my least favourite John Michael McDonagh's movie. He seems to be too immature here, the timing of the action never fits that much and the script hides a bit. It's not a terrible movie of course but J. M. M. is capable of better works than this.… Expand

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