War Dogs

Set in the mid-2000s War Dogs tells the ‘based on a true story’ tale of two twenty-something Miami boys who got rich by bidding on US military contracts during the Iraq War.

Enter funny guys Jonah Hill and Miles Teller, as well as direction from The Hangover trilogy’s Todd Phillips, and you’ve immediately interested a certain cinema crowd. Phillips knows what his audiences want – seemingly everyday characters indulging in the bad risks we wouldn’t dare take – and watching on as it all self-implodes.

It’s undeniably Hill’s movie, his screen bravado luring Teller’s character’s attention as well as our own. Teller’s portrayal of the gullible friend in desperate need of cash is by far more relatable, but Hill’s absurdity wins fans over in the end. It’s a cheap laugh (with a great soundtrack) but it falls short of becoming Phillip’s next unexpected comedic hit. It does, however, leave a visible commentary on America’s attitude to fast winnings and how easy it is to get tangled up. Not bad. (SG)

★★★

BY SEAN GOLDING