The Dogs of War
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Movie Reviews of The Dogs of War
Movie Review: Well Crafted Mercenary Tale
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a well crafted story about the otherthrowing of a brutal West African dictatorship through a mercenary run coup d'tat. The film meticulously follows the plot from the reconesance operation to the planning stages through the actual coup. Christopher Walken plays Shannon, the leader of the mercenaries. Walken does solid, but not remarkable work here but he cannot be faulted for that. The film is more concerned with the nuts and bolts of the story and not so with characterization. Shannon's personal life is dealt with perfunctorily, such as his failed marriage, but is quickly dropped. A major character dies in battle but the audience can't really feel for him because we never really got to know him. Covert ops and military hardware take precedence. Gotta love them Uzis and Gats. If you are looking for good storytelling with little or no emotional attachment to the characters this is the film for you.Movie Review: The Dogs of War
Summary: 4 Stars
This movie is about a group of mercenaries hired to overthrow a fictional mineral-laden African nation. The plot twists when the group's leader, played by the quintessential bad guy character actor Christopher Walken, decides to place his own hero in the president's chair of this nation. This doctor had aided Walken's character when he had been beaten during his scouting mission to this country. Walken's character must have been impressed because after the shoot 'em up scene, the movie ends with this doctor in charge of the country.
The movie is well written and well acted. Walken has that aura of cold-bloodedness about him that makes him a perfect choice for the lead role. I compare this movie to another mercenary flick called "The Wild Geese" which has some similarities. The Dogs of War is entertaining and action packed. If these kinds of movoes are your thing, I recommend it.
Movie Review: Great film...but what happened to the book???
Summary: 4 Stars
I liked this movie, I really did. Christopher Walken was great in one of his earlier roles as was Tom Berenger. Also the supporting cast was well placed and the special effects of 1981 still hold up today. Unfortunately like all other Frederick Forsythe novels that are made into films, it just doesnt quite measure up to the book pound for pound. Walken's character gains an ex-wife in the film version while in the novelization he romances the daughter of the greedy Mining executive he was hired by. Also the film's ending is alot different than the book but despite this zinger I found it refreshing.
Despite the overall differences, I still enjoyed the movie and the acting was superb. If you've read the book and want to compare it with the film, by all means, this is 2 hours well-vested. However dramatic, be prepared to watch an alternate version of the novelization.
Movie Review: Anybody want to buy a Coup'?
Summary: 4 Stars
The best of the "hired killers takes out a bassackwards third world African nation in ten minutes or less" genre. Christopher Walken fans will love this one as he occupies the camera for about 98% of the film and does an admirable job playing ringleader to a small band of mercenaries hired by London's Enron branch to take down some dude with a Gucci sword named Kimba, the benevolent ruler of Okka Bokka Boo. The pace is a little slow for my tastes but they threw in my favorite girl next door, JoBeth Williams, as Walkens ex-wife just to keep me occupied while the guns were being shipped in from Switzerland or somewhere. All I can tell you is the climax is worth waiting for. It's outstanding actually. See if you can spot Ed O'Neill from Married With Children fame. 3 hand grenades and 1/2 a bazooka.Movie Review: Cry Havoc...
Summary: 4 Stars
From start to finish, this is the kind of movie that most young actors would kill to star in; smart, with a good script and enough character actors to anchor the film firmly into your subconscious.I should admit I'm a huge Chris Walken fan from way back, so of course I'm biased, but if you watch the film carefully, you'll see that it warrants repeated viewings.
If I have any complaints at all, it would be the video quality, which is why the DVD is a much better bet. Still budget priced, and due to its age, the movie doesn't have much in the way of extra features, but that doesn't detract from it one bit.