Watch War, Inc.

War, Inc. is a political satire movie from 2008 that revolves around an absurdly corrupt fictional Middle Eastern country named Turaqistan, which has been occupied by a private military corporation (PMC) named Tamerlane. The story follows hitman Brand Hauser, played by John Cusack, who is hired by the same PMC to assassinate the former Turaqi minister of oil, Omar Sharif, who is a vocal opposition leader. As Brand carries out his mission, he becomes entangled with an insightful journalist, Natalie Hegalhuzen (Marisa Tomei), and a pop star named Yonica Babyyeah (Hilary Duff), who is hired by the PMC to perform in a concert to commemorate the country's "diplomatic unity."

The movie opens with a surreal musical sequence about the virtues of war and how it is good for business. This musical sequence sets the tone for the movie that is tinged with the absurdity and grotesque reality of war.

John Cusack is brilliant as Brand Hauser, a disillusioned and haunted hitman who is also suffering from PTSD from his time in Turaqistan. He is the central character in the story, and we see the entire movie from his point-of-view. Cusack manages to convey both the humor and tragedy in his character with ease, and his deadpan delivery is pitch-perfect for the satire of the movie.

Marisa Tomei is the eye of the storm as Natalie Hegalhuzen, a brave and observant journalist who is in Turaqistan to cover the war. She brings a sense of grit and realism to the story as she uncovers the truth about the PMC's involvement in the country's politics. Her character serves as Brand's conscience, and their banter is the highlight of the movie.

Hilary Duff is a pleasant surprise in her role as Yonica Babyyeah, a pop star who is hired by the PMC to perform a concert to commemorate the country's diplomatic unity. Duff's character is a parody of the vacuous pop stars who are famous for being famous, and she manages to bring a sense of humor to her performance. Duff's star power also adds to the satire of the movie, and her on-screen presence is a nod to the weaponization of pop culture as propaganda.

The supporting cast is also excellent, with standout performances from Joan Cusack as Brand's handler, Dan Aykroyd as the CEO of the PMC, and Ben Kingsley as the former Moroccan dictator, who is hired as a consultant to help the PMC with their scheme.

The plot of the movie is a biting commentary on the military-industrial complex and the corruption that ensues when corporations get involved in politics. The PMC's involvement in Turaqistan's politics is not just a cynical attempt to make a profit, but it is also an attempt to control the narrative and ensure that dissenting voices are silenced. The satire in the movie is not just limited to American politics but also extends to the complicity of the media, the public and the international community.

The movie is directed by Joshua Seftel, who manages to balance the satire with the action sequences, which are all expertly choreographed. The visual style of the movie is reminiscent of Terry Gilliam's Brazil and the Coen Brothers' Burn After Reading, with a touch of Fellini's Satyricon. The movie is an assault on the senses, with quick cuts, surreal sequences, and a pounding soundtrack by David Holmes.

The movie also features cameos from Bob Dylan, who has a song in the soundtrack, and Sergej Trifunović, a Serbian actor who plays the role of a ruthless businessman. The movie was shot in Bulgaria and even features a scene where Cusack's character visits a brothel run by Bulgarian women.

In conclusion, War, Inc. is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys political satire and black comedy. The movie is unapologetic in its critique of the military-industrial complex, and the performances by the cast are pitch-perfect. The movie is not just a satire on American politics but a warning about the dangers of unchecked corporate power.

War, Inc. is a 2008 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5 and a MetaScore of 37.