Film Review – War Machine (2026)

      War Machine, 2026.

      Directed by Patrick Hughes.

      Featuring Alan Ritchson, Dennis Quaid, Stephan James, Jai Courtney, Esai Morales, Blake Richardson, Keiynan Lonsdale, Daniel Webber, Jack Patten, Joshua Diaz, Heather Burridge, Victory Ndukwe, Matt Testro, and Richard Cottam.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Follow the last recruits at a demanding special ops boot camp as they face a lethal force from another realm. While one might see War Machine as pro-military, it is more accurately pro-human, both metaphorically and literally, presented in an absurdly uplifting, crowd-pleasing manner. The film showcases U.S. Army Rangers-in-training as they combat a sudden invasion by sentient machines. This comparison may be a gentle way of acknowledging the possibility that Hideo Kojima, the creator of the Metal Gear Solid video game series, might have grounds for a plagiarism claim, as these soldiers confront a challenge quite reminiscent of his work.

      Expanding on this idea, co-writer/director Patrick Hughes (who wrote the screenplay with frequent collaborator James Beaufort) seems to have sought to recreate the essence of the original Predator but infused with a Metal Gear racing through the wilderness, shooting disintegrating ray beams that result in gruesome dismemberments. This is not a critique; rather, it’s an observation that fans of both franchises may find unexpectedly appealing. In 2026, where fresh concepts are scarce, the unexpected combination of established ideas can provide ample entertainment, especially with strong execution like this.

      The film's pacing resembles that of classic action thrillers, taking its time to develop its human characters and infusing them with story and humor before the deadly threat emerges. The focus is on Alan Ritchson as an unnamed soldier, a former combat engineer who received a medal for his efforts to reduce casualties in a Kandahar ambush. Yet, he remains haunted by the loss of his brother (Jai Courtney), who was among the casualties; their shared dream of becoming U.S. Army Rangers now symbolizes the fulfillment of a promise.

      Upon reaching the U.S. Army Rangers training base, each recruit is assigned a number that also serves as their character name. Ritchson's character gets the designation 81 but refuses a lower number that would have made him a team leader. He is a solitary figure, more inclined to prove something to himself and make his brother proud, rather than work with others.

      As is typical in such films, 81 is surrounded by more seasoned soldiers offering wisdom (Stephan James), comedic relief (Blake Richardson), and a head instructor (Dennis Quaid) who doubts his readiness for the program (possibly joining due to the allure of a laser-firing robot). The supporting trainees strike an ideal balance between potential victims and relatable humanity; viewers may chuckle at their demise yet root for their survival during the imminent machine attack.

      The film emphasizes familiar motivations and characters, taking its time to establish them. Despite the corniness, this aspect does not detract from the experience; the tone simultaneously conveys urgent danger while weaving humor through Ritchson's well-timed one-liners (he is fully aware of the film's tone throughout). The training drills integrate seamlessly into the film's structure as the team is pursued, leading to exhilarating sequences reminiscent of an extended boss battle.

      It's impossible to ignore the film's cheesy elements, including a title that aptly reflects its themes of humanity and machinery. The emotional beats can feel silly rather than poignant, and the sequel hints could be considered unnecessary, as any future films might undermine the effectiveness of this installment. Nevertheless, War Machine is brilliantly extravagant while delivering genuine excitement alongside gruesome kills in immersive settings, from rolling down hills to chaotic vehicular destruction.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

      Robert Kojder

      Originally published March 8, 2026. Updated March 9, 2026.