REVIEW: “War Dogs”

Conner Keesling | Contributing Editor

This year has had its fair share of box office comedies, especially films that audiences cannot believe are based on true events, such as “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates”, “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot”, and “Masterminds” (set to be released on Sept. 30th). Films that take on intense true stories can often go too far and bite off more than they can chew. “War Dogs” knows when to be comedic and when to let the drama play out. Director Todd Phillips successfully pulls off balancing drama and comedy with his new film “War Dogs.”

 “War Dogs” is the latest movie of the year and you will not believe it is based off a true story. Staring Miles Teller (“Whiplash”, “The Spectacular Now”) and Jonah Hill (“Moneyball”, “The Wolf of Wall Street”), the film is based on a true story that takes place during George W. Bush’s presidency.

The film opens with David Packouz (Teller) working as a door-to-door massage therapist. He decides to give up his job to try to sell bed sheets to retirement homes. With little success, and an enormous amount of boxes crowding his apartment, David runs into childhood friend Efraim Diveroli (Hill).

Efraim tells David about his job as a gunrunner, resulting in the two of them eventually starting up their own company, AEY Inc. They get a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense and begin selling guns to the United States military. Even though things are relatively smooth in the beginning, their world soon starts spinning out of control.  

Todd Phillips, known for “The Hangover” trilogy and “Old School”, directs this comedy. One of the biggest strengths of “War Dogs”, and perhaps something a bit unexpected about its comedy, is its sense of maturity. Although “War Dogs” is classified as more of a comedy, it is equally dramatic.

Many times Phillips opts out of the cheap gag routine that he has done in several of his movies. Not that cheap gags are always a bad thing, but when people go see a Todd Phillips movie they expect raunchy content and nonstop comedy. With “War Dogs” Phillips waits for the moments that provide room for comedy and lets it happen, never forcing it. “War Dogs” is a very respectable effort and one of Phillips’s most mature comedies to date. 

Jonah Hill gives his best performance since “The Wolf of Wall Street.” Hill commits himself to the role and provides mannerisms and traits to his character, Efraim Diveroli, which makes him stand out. Most notably, the offbeat laugh that Efraim possesses. The laugh is an obvious choice from Hill, and he stays consistent with the laugh throughout the film’s entirety, never differing from it.

Hill also communicates an unhealthy anger bubbling underneath Efraim’s “go with the flow” attitude that never feels sincere. This potential outburst of anger is apparent in every scene, giving a sense of constant danger for David (Teller) in nearly every scene. There is a fear of setting Efraim off that is clearly communicated to the audience. Hill gives more depth to a character than you would normally see in a comedy like “War Dogs.” 

“War Dogs” is not the latest dumb comedy that is out in theaters right now. It has an intelligence in its humor which makes it worth checking out.