W.M.D. (2015)

Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

In truth, any opportunity to see the film on the big screen is welcome.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

You know, as boilerplate as the satire is, at least they tried, and to some degree succeeded. Straight off the bat with the opening scene ripping off Three Kings with no shame (or spoofing. Could it be!!??), to the frustratingly strawmanned, but still appreciated, caricatures of the players in mainstream media filling out the TV Movie running time, W.M.D or President Down or whatever is a sincere and devoted political film that thankfully has a sense of humour about itself to counter-balance its bitter, but fair, commentary on this now 16 year war. It's cheap A.F, with basically everything taking place in a canteen kitchen. But still, within the brief running time of 77 minutes, W.M.D manages to deliver engaging characters, political commentary and a descent siege movie wrapped up in an intriguing what if scenario. It's no In The Loop, but for what it is, a micro budget thriller, W.M.D has a lot of heart and ambition which make it really enduring.

Just a simple review for a simple movie without all of the drawn-out critiques from the usual wannabe critics. Definitely a B movie but very enjoyable with decent action and mediocre acting. I started to watch it thinking I would be switching to another movie within ten minutes or so but kind of got drawn into it as the acting wasn't as pathetic as I thought it might be.It definitely shows how ridiculous government administration and the media have become and how both can spin any situation or information into whatever they want to portray. It also shows the frustrations soldiers can go through and how messed up their minds can become.IMHO, the "critics" who rated it as 1/10 need some brain enhancement therapy. At it's worst rating it at least deserves a 3.

W.M.D. is a fast moving, engaging, satirical commentary on politics, main stream media and the purpose of modern warfare. As the The President says, 'More fun than a Texas rodeo'. Stand out performances from Tom Kiesche, in a strong, honest offering as the sarcastic, focused, ringleader Captain Garrison. Weetus Cren, compelling as Sergeant Downy, the somehow delightful future spree killer, and John Posey, showing glimpses of inner turmoil as the President of the United States - not allowing the audience to either hate him or sympathize with him completely. Director, Richard Halpern keeps the setting intimate and well timed without feeling claustrophobic. Yet, still maintaining an awareness of how this small action may be reverberating in the outside world. Even in the exterior scenes we're kept close and part of the inner circle. Well thought out, funny (listen for a subtle reference to 'Grumpy Cat')and detailed script (Halpern, Mike Le, Ian Truitner). Prepare for an unexpected twist somewhere along the way. Lots of foul language and plenty of cringe worthy violence. Yet W.M.D. finds a way to not have it seem over done or gratuitous. Allow the movie to make you ponder the lies, or the truths, depending on your politics, that you've been told. Remember to watch until the last second, even through the credits, as the story continues. Not all fiction...is all fiction.

W.M.D. is hyperbole yet also unsettlingly truthful, in the same world as No Man's Land and Full Metal Jacket. Painting a bleak depiction of the Iraq War (is there any other version besides bleak?) it oscillates between outrageous, laugh-out-loud and shockingly graphic.The director chose a cinéma vérité style that made us feel like we are trapped in the same room as the band desperate soldiers who kidnap the President to try to uncover the truth behind the Iraq War. He is only called "The President" throughout the film, but it's obvious that he represents George W. Bush. I sometimes found myself squirming in my chair as the soldiers employ the same interrogation techniques on the President of the United States as were used on Iraqis. The cast is strong overall, and there are some memorable performances. John Posey does an excellent job playing a depiction of George Bush without devolving into a caricature. Contrary to what you might expect, we actually feel ourselves empathizing with the president as he goes through this horrendous ordeal. Tom Kiesche, who is larger than life both figuratively and literally, embodies the outrage many of us felt as we were first duped into the conflict then forced to witness this 10-year train wreck happen. Weetus Cren gives a chilling portrayal of what happens when a sadistic miscreant is thrust into a situation where he has the ability to inflict harm on other people. W.M.D. forces us to confront the implications of these morally dubious techniques as we see someone recognizable, rather than 'enemy' foreigners, endure them. It also forces us to remember a botched conflict we'd rather now forget, the aftermath of which is still as topical as ever.