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DVD Sunday: War, Inc.

A cinematic frolic through the combat zone - By Melanie, Jul 06, 08

Too soon for jokes about "Operation: Iraqi Freedom?" John Cusack doesn't seem to think so.

Cusack both wrote and stars in War, Inc. (2008), an obscene, yet heartfelt satire of a certain war waged by a certain Bush Administration and the rampant profiteering that has characterized "rebuilding" efforts. At times discombobulated, the movie takes a humorous nibble at the powers that be.

Brand Hauser (John Cusack) is a down and out hitman who drowns his personal problems in the sauce – the hot sauce that is. During moments of extreme stress Hauser serenely tips back shots of Tabasco. Hauser is commissioned by Mr. Vice President (Dan Akroyd) to fly to Turaqistan (it's a fictional country) and rub out indigenous entrepreneur Omar Sharif (Lyubomir Neikov), whose success would threaten the oil interests of American business conglomerate Tamerlane (it's Halliburton spelled backward). Did I mention that the VP delivers these instructions from the can via telecam? "Hope you like the smell of fresh liberation," Cheney/Akroyd cracks while flushing the toilet.

As a ploy to lure Omar to the killing zone Tamerlane hosts a Brand USA Trade Show MC'd by Hauser and organized by his snippy proxy, Marsha Dillon (Joan Cusack). Uber liberal, disillusioned reporter Natalie Hegalhuzen (Marisa Tomei) shows up to rain on the parade with a healthy dose of integrity and expose Hauser for his ethical failings. A fumbling love affair ensues.

War, Inc. produces a handful of snort out loud moments: one highlight of the Trade Show is a Rockett style performance by the one-legged and legless casualties of war who've been carefully fitted with Tamerlane-brand prosthetics. As the (now) physically challenged practice for the big day, kicking their plastic limbs hither and thither, Hauser remarks, "It's just another breathtaking example of how American know-how alleviates the suffering it creates."

But comic genius erupts with the on-screen arrival of Asia's pop-star Yonika Babyyear (Hilary Duff) at the Emerald City (Green Zone). Yonika, ante-breakdown Britany Spears, is set to wed Omar's son in the ultimate Trade Show celebration. Her entourage of hummers bursts into the compound pouring forth a chain-wearing gang of scalawags draped in bodysuits, one of whom proceeds to pummel an overzealous fan with a baseball bat. Hauser greets the clan wearily, nodding to each in turn: "Hello, nice work with the bat, hi, Mr. Pickle, Las Vegas, Mr. Federline." What?! K-Fed! Surely, if there is one thing funnier than death, war, rape and pillage it is Kevin Federline.

As satire, War, Inc. does not offer an engrossing plot-driven narrative. All the same, it achieves what it sets out to do – pour acerbic glee onto the oozing disgrace that is American foreign policy.

Grade: Shock and awe

NB: Make sure to cop the version with deleted scenes. Includes a mockumentary style romp through the trenches of Abu Ghraib with Will Ferrell as Army Reserve Spc. Charles Graner Jr.

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