First rule of gun-running: never get shot with your own merchandise.
Based on fact, Lord of war is an action adventure story set in the world of international arms dealing.
The film explores a little-known consequence of the end of the Cold War - the enormous quantity of arms that suddenly became available for sale by former Soviet states to developing countries (especially in Africa) and the vast sums of money made by the arms dealers who sold them.
Many believe it is the greatest heist of the 20th Century. In Ukraine alone between 1982 and 1992 over $32 billion in arms were stolen. No culprit has ever been caught or prosecuted.
The film follows the globe-trotting exploits of arms dealer Yuri Orlov (Nicolas Cage). Through some of the deadliest war zones, Yuri struggles to stay one step ahead of a relentless Interpol agent, his business rivals, even some of his customers who include many of the world's most notorious dictators.
Finally, Yuri must also face his own conscience.
Special Agent Matti
Lord of war is the kind of film that makes you want to bury your head in the sand. The Military-Industrial Complex™ has taken over the world and there's nothing that the person on the street can do about it. In fact, whatever you do, you're probably shoring up the foundations - that bread you bought at the supermarket is made from wheat grown by an agricultural combine using genetically-modified seed purchased made by the same company that sells chemical weapons to The Military-Industrial Complex™. You're stuffed whatever you do. See also Syriana.
MA 15+ (Strong drug use, strong violence, coarse language)
117 minutes (1:57 hours)
Film: 23 February 2006
