Movie Review: ‘War Dogs’

Johan Hill and Miles Teller team up playing arms dealers in a new film called "War Dogs." Time Warner Cable News film critic Neil Rosen filed the following review.

Based on a true story that began in 2005, two friends since junior high take advantage of a little known government program that allows small businesses to bid on U.S. military contracts. They become profitable arms dealers doing small deals. However, they get in way over their heads and encounter some very dangerous people when they get greedy and win a $300 million dollar deal to arm the Afghan military with a million rounds of ammunition.

Who knew that writer/director Todd Philips, the guy responsible for "The Hangover" and "Old School," would be capable of making such a mature, sharp, insightful and funny film as this?

The real story, based on a Rolling Stone article, is fascinating, But it's Philips' execution of that story, combined with razor sharp writing, that's done so well.

Jonah Hill in particular is great playing a self-centered, con artist jerk. He plays this unscrupulous, opportunistic guy with gusto, and he's often hilarious. Teller is also good as the more level headed partner with somewhat of a conscious who he gets roped into this thing by Hill.

Bradley Cooper shows up for a brief time, but it's Hill and Teller, with their great rapport, that are really the whole show.

At the end of August, what a surprise, to find a great film for grownups.