'Lord of War' shoots to the top

By: Trent Orris

Posted: 9/29/05

Surprisingly, "Lord of War," starring Nicolas Cage, is not your typical shoot-em-up action flick. Technically a dark comedy, it comes off more as a tragedy with some dark humor scattered throughout.

Yuri Orlov (Cage) is an Eastern European immigrant who wants two things in life: Lots of money and the girl of his dreams (Bridget Moynahan.) After witnessing an attempted mob hit in a neighborhood restaurant, he realizes the arms trade could be the doorway to his dreams. He goes into the firearms business with his brother Vitaly (Jared Leto). The film depicts their simultaneous rapid rise to fortune and the trade's ever-increasing toll on their souls.

The movie's plot is a bit disconnected but succeeds because of its various moments of brilliance.

The most memorable is the opening sequence, which follows the life of a bullet from its birth in the factory to its final resting place. This imagery, set to the 60's social-conscience anthem "For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield, shows that murder is manufactured in many areas of the world.

In a reprisal of his role as the good cop in "Training Day," Ethan Hawke plays the hero of the movie - a straight-laced Interpol agent who tracks Yuri's every move.

None of the characters are as cruelly unforgettable as Liberian president
and warlord Andre Baptiste (Eamonn Walker). Taking pleasure in his illusion of total power, he is reminiscent of Ralph Fiennes' psychotic Nazi in "Schindler's List." After shooting a young soldier in the head to test a gun, he explains, "Kids today don't listen. I blame the MTV." It's one of the many moments in the film that cause some to gasp, some to laugh and others to grunt in cynical understanding.

With violence, harsh language, drug use, partial nudity and adult subject matter, this is not a movie for children.

Some critics have decried the nihilistic views of many of the main characters. But like in the best dark comedies, the camera takes a harsh look at those who deserve it. Thumbs up.