Film Review – War Machine (2026)

While co-writer/director Patrick Hughes came on the scene with the grittiness of 2010’s “Red Hill,” the helmer has largely abandoned reality for most of his career. Hughes favors the world of action/comedy, looking to charm and pummel audiences with endeavors such as “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” (along with its 2021 sequel) and “The Man from Toronto.” He’s not the most inspired architect of entertainment, but Hughes finally puts his funny bone to rest for “War Machine,” which hopes to become a more destructive sci-fi/thriller, pitting U.S. Army Ranger hopefuls against a heavily armed alien menace. It’s a straightforward tale of survival from Hughes and co-writer James Beaufort, and they mostly deliver an exciting ride with the picture, investing in heated scenes of confusion and defense, giving star Alan Ritchson plenty of panic to play as he carries the periodic intensity of the offering, which is always most confident in battle situations. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com