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Robot Rampage: Sci-Fi Flick Rips Off Classics
6 Mar
Summary
- Film 'War Machine' heavily imitates 'Predator' with a robot.
- Alan Ritchson stars as a soldier who loses his name to indoctrination.
- The movie blends action with pro-military propaganda themes.
Patrick Hughes' new Netflix film, "War Machine," offers a sci-fi action spectacle pitting Alan Ritchson against a giant alien robot. The movie directly imitates John McTiernan's "Predator," substituting the alien creature for an anime-style mecha, but critically misses the original's subversive intelligence.
Alan Ritchson portrays "81," a soldier whose identity is subsumed by military training, a theme the film presents as cool rather than critical. His character's journey, driven by a pact with his deceased brother, leads him into a mission that unexpectedly confronts an alien UFO.
This UFO transforms into a formidable robot, unleashing chaos on "81" and his ill-equipped team. The film features action sequences inspired by video games like "Halo" and concludes with elements reminiscent of James Cameron's "Aliens."
Despite its fun, straightforward execution, "War Machine" is labeled as simplistic pro-military propaganda. The narrative offers little depth regarding the aliens' motives, focusing instead on a clear "good vs. evil" dichotomy, ultimately serving as a brainless action substitute.
