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War, Inc.

  • 2008
  • Tous publics
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
5.5/10
23K
YOUR RATING
John Cusack, Joan Cusack, Marisa Tomei, Ben Kingsley, and Hilary Duff in War, Inc. (2008)
This is the theatrical trailer for War, Inc., directed by Joshua Seftel.
Play trailer2:35
8 Videos
38 Photos
Dark ComedySatireActionComedyThriller

A corporation hires a professional assassin to pose as its trade show representative who must organize the wedding of a Middle Eastern pop star, which will allow him the opportunity to kill ... Read allA corporation hires a professional assassin to pose as its trade show representative who must organize the wedding of a Middle Eastern pop star, which will allow him the opportunity to kill a Middle Eastern politician.A corporation hires a professional assassin to pose as its trade show representative who must organize the wedding of a Middle Eastern pop star, which will allow him the opportunity to kill a Middle Eastern politician.

  • Director
    • Joshua Seftel
  • Writers
    • Mark Leyner
    • Jeremy Pikser
    • John Cusack
  • Stars
    • John Cusack
    • Marisa Tomei
    • Hilary Duff
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.5/10
    23K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Joshua Seftel
    • Writers
      • Mark Leyner
      • Jeremy Pikser
      • John Cusack
    • Stars
      • John Cusack
      • Marisa Tomei
      • Hilary Duff
    • 126User reviews
    • 63Critic reviews
    • 37Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos8

    War, Inc.: Theatrical Trailer
    Trailer 2:35
    War, Inc.: Theatrical Trailer
    War, Inc.
    Clip 0:48
    War, Inc.
    War, Inc.
    Clip 0:48
    War, Inc.
    War, Inc.
    Clip 0:55
    War, Inc.
    War, Inc.
    Clip 0:46
    War, Inc.
    War, Inc.
    Clip 1:23
    War, Inc.
    War, Inc.
    Clip 1:59
    War, Inc.

    Photos38

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    + 32
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    Top cast51

    Edit
    John Cusack
    John Cusack
    • Hauser
    Marisa Tomei
    Marisa Tomei
    • Natalie Hegalhuzen
    Hilary Duff
    Hilary Duff
    • Yonica Babyyeah
    Joan Cusack
    Joan Cusack
    • Marsha Dillon
    Dan Aykroyd
    Dan Aykroyd
    • Mr. Vice President
    Sergej Trifunovic
    Sergej Trifunovic
    • Ooq-Mi-Fay Taqnufmini
    Ned Bellamy
    Ned Bellamy
    • Ooq-Yu-Fay Taqnufmini…
    John McLaughlin
    John McLaughlin
    • John McLaughlin
    Montel Williams
    Montel Williams
    • GuideStar Voice
    • (voice)
    Ben Kingsley
    Ben Kingsley
    • Walken…
    Lyubomir Neikov
    • Omar Sharif
    • (as Lubomir Neikov)
    Nikolay Stanoev
    Nikolay Stanoev
    • Bhodi Bhundhang
    • (as Nikolai Stanoev)
    George Zlatarev
    • Director
    • (as Georgi Zlatarev)
    Bashar Rahal
    Bashar Rahal
    • Video Guy #1
    Velislav Pavlov
    • Video Guy #2
    • (as Vesilav Pavlov)
    Zachary Baharov
    Zachary Baharov
    • Video Guy #3
    • (as Zahari Baharov)
    Doug Dearth
    Doug Dearth
    • Geoff
    Bill Cusack
    Bill Cusack
    • Tamerlane Caffeinated Soldier
    • (as William Cusack)
    • Director
      • Joshua Seftel
    • Writers
      • Mark Leyner
      • Jeremy Pikser
      • John Cusack
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews126

    5.522.8K
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    Featured reviews

    7Gimme_Fiction

    A really fun ride

    I don't want to spend to long here rambling about the plot- you've seen the trailer, and if you haven't its online. I don't recommend seeing it though- it was poorly crafted and didn't pack any of the laughs or magic from the film. So those avoiding this film due to its lousy trailer should give this one a chance. It's really funny. I was blown away by the cleverness and originality in this film. The first 40 minutes had me on the floor in hysterics- my only problem was that it unnecessarily evolved into a bad Austin Powers film in the final 20. This however, is one of the few films where the campy ending didn't make me dislike the rest of the film (which is normally the case). Everyone gives a great performance (especially Joan Cusack) and there are some really great moments throughout. I personally plan on seeing it again when it comes out- only to catch all the details which I was laughing over during the first viewing!
    9Juicy92888

    Critics might be off the mark on this one...

    I thought this movie was a lot better than most movie critics are giving it credit for. Though it has its confusing parts of the plot, it doesn't greatly interfere with your understanding of the movie. That being said, If you're not open to more liberal political ideas, then this probably isn't the movie for you. I thought all the actors in the movie were outstanding. Each character has their funny moments and the audience at the Tribeca Film Festival was laughing throughout the whole thing. I thought the satire was a tad over the top in one particular area, but that's intentionally done. John Cusack is right in that although it's set in the future, it really makes you see the present.
    7Tyler_Seymour_Wallach

    "...sh-t happens"

    Joshua Seftel's first film - a satire of memorable proportions - is about just as the title suggests: The corporations effect on War.

    The film is about a mercenary (John Cusack) traveling to Turaqistan (not a real country, fyi) to help the American government 'get their message across' to Turaqistan's leaders. He meets a reporter (Marisa Tomei) and we all know what will ensue with a lonely man + a hot reporter. Somewhere in the mix, a pop star named Yonica Babyyeah gets thrown in. As Yonica is marrying one of Turaquistan's most important people (a son of the president), a subplot is created where the mercenary must watch over this star, well, somewhat. The film starts off with a lonely Cusack in a bar; no more than fifteen seconds later, the film hooks you. With it's amusing and intriguing insight on terrorism and politics, the film's running time blows by you. The film has a lot more action than I expected, with the occasional scene of war, well choreographed fights and just sporadic scenes of murder. Though the story isn't much deep, the simplicity of it all makes the film perfect for both the common man and movie critics alike.

    In the final act of the film, the simplicity of it all turns very hostile and jumbled. I thought it was executed very well, but other may disagree, and I could understand why. Twist after twist is what the ending is all about, and like most films, it is a true hit/miss situation. Regardless, the three writers on the film (Mark Leyner, Jeremy Pikser & John Cusack) did a fantastic job creating a realistic and entertaining satire on today's situation overseas.

    Joshua Seftel does an excellent job insuring the film's integrity; not reducing the material to the most redundant of films (which I was afraid would happen). Seftel crafted the film as perfectly as one could: he created a vibrant atmosphere, one that is both examines harsh reality and cartoonish falsities; - contrasting them perfectly - as well as making the film feel as if you were watching it all. Seftel really gets you involved in all of the action and it pays off completely. No missteps here. Hopefully, he takes on more directorial jobs, for he is one director to look out for.
    7rogue719

    A Funny and Topical satire.

    In War, Inc we find the logical extension of the current outsourcing of all war-related activities we are currently doing in Afghanistan and Iraq. If you are familiar with the antics of Halliburton, Kellogg, Brown & Root and Blackwater overseas you are already halfway home to fully appreciating the satire of Cusack's latest piece. Cusack plays a corporate hit-man named Brand Hauser who finds himself in Turiquistan organizing a trade show in the newly liberated country as his cover while waiting to get access to his latest target. While there he finds himself intrigued by the anti-establishment reporter played by Marisa Tomei and pursued by the over-sexualized pop star played by Hilary Duff. We are introduced to Hauser's past, which includes a tragedy that has haunted him ever since and the corporate assistant named Marsha Dillon who actually is running the entire operation for him (and played hilariously by Joan Cusack). While some moments are played suitably over the top, they aren't always the moments you expect and the little touches often catch you by surprise. All the principals turn in solid performances. Duff's accent comes and goes but otherwise she does a very nice job and goes a long way to dispel her Disney image. Tomei is funny but understated while the Cusack's own nearly every scene they are in. To be fair, they are given good material. The writers turn in a good script with enough twists and turns and visual gags to keep you giggling throughout all the way to the predictable conclusion. In fact, the predictability of the end is the only thing that keeps me from rating it higher as the story twists and turns it's way to the expected conclusion.

    If you like your comedy broad and physical, there is probably not enough here to keep you interested the entire movie. On the other hand, if you like sly comedy and broad satire, this is for you.
    7Shattered_Wake

    A Libertarian's take on a war satire

    In this satire of the commercialization and 'lightheartedness' of war, John Cusack plays Brand Hauser, an assassin sent to to 'Turaqistan' to take out Omar Sharif, who is doing some oil business that will spell trouble for the former Vice President of the US's own company. In addition to this, Hauser must juggle his fake position as a trade show producer, a wedding for pop princess Yonica (Hillary Duff), and a nosy Liberal journalist, Natalie (Marisa Tomei).

    Assessing the technical aspects:

    • The acting (by the main characters,at least) was good, as was to be expected. Some of John Cusack's dialogue was quite obviously not written for him as he often seemed uncomfortable saying it. . . maybe unrealistic is more accurate. Joan put forth a great, and often hilarious, performance. Marisa Tomei, while I've never been a big fan of hers, was more than suitable for the role and worked well. Hillary Duff, however, was pretty terrible. They needed an attractive Middle Eastern (or Russian, or whatever that accent was supposed to be) pop-star. Unfortunately, they went 0 for 3 with her.


    • Like I said above, the writing seemed a little stiff and mismatched at points, especially John Cusack's dialogue. Not much of it, mind, but some. The story also got a bit ludicrous at points, which is fine for a satire to a point, but it took it to a whole new level here. Luckily, the Cusacks and Tomei keep a relatively cool, calm demeanor throughout, and that makes a nice even mix of the craziness of the film and the levelheadedness of the actors.


    • Joshua Seftel, who previously had a drought of real credits to his name, did a fine job with a rather wide-spectrum film. He handled the small ($10 million) budget very well, stretching it to make it appear to be much more. Seftel also managed to nicely blend the humour of the story. . . with the painful and hard-to-watch parts of the real war (including slaughter of civilians, etc.).


    • As far as the general satire goes, its exaggerated look on the commercializing of war is very well done, especially the 'Golden Palace Poker' ads on the U.S. tanks. At points, it becomes a little too much, but, in the end, it still accurate portrays what it's going for an a young 'Mel Brooks'-type of style.


    Overall, the film is very well made for the meager budget and it's definitely worthy of a look. It won't go down as one of the great satires of cinema, but it's certainly not the worst.

    7/10.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The tenth movie in which siblings John Cusack and Joan Cusack appeared together.
    • Goofs
      When Brand and Natalie go to the coffee shop, on the floor you can see the blue-tape 'T' marker that shows the waitress where she needs to stand for this shot.
    • Quotes

      The Vice President: [about Omar] Son of a bitch is trying to build a pipeline through his own cheap fucking country. We didn't liberate Turaqistan to get hustled by some cocksucking fezzhead, Hauser. Terminate. Do do that voodoo that you do so well.

    • Crazy credits
      BeTolerant.com is listed twice in the thanks section of the credits, despite this resulting in an odd number of entries and causing the last entry to have to go against the rest of the layout (centered, vs two-column) to keep things even.
    • Connections
      Featured in Actors Studio: John Cusack (2007)
    • Soundtracks
      Song for Dixie
      Written by Stephen Edwards

      Published by Source In Sync Music (ASCAP) / Engine Co 35 Music Publishing (ASCAP)

      Courtesy of 5 Alarm Music

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    FAQ22

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    • Is this movie based on a true story?
    • Is this a sequel to Grosse Pointe Blank?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 13, 2008 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • MySpace
    • Languages
      • English
      • Hungarian
    • Also known as
      • Brand Hauser: Stuff Happens
    • Filming locations
      • New Boyana Film Studios, Sofia, Bulgaria(Studio)
    • Production companies
      • New Crime Productions
      • B & W Films
      • Boyana Film Studios
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $10,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $580,862
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $35,336
      • May 25, 2008
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,296,184
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 47m(107 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1(original negative)

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