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‘War Machine’ Review: Alan Ritchson’s Charisma Can’t Save This Hopelessly Basic Netflix Sci-Fi Actioner
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‘War Machine’ Review: Alan Ritchson’s Charisma Can’t Save This Hopelessly Basic Netflix Sci-Fi Actioner

#War Machine #Alan Ritchson #Netflix #Sci-fi Action #Alien Robot #Military #Patrick Hughes #Dennis Quaid

📌 Key Takeaways

  • Alan Ritchson stars as '81,' leading U.S. Rangers against a giant alien robot
  • Director Patrick Hughes delivers visually impressive but generic action sequences
  • The screenplay receives criticism for weak dialogue and minimal character development
  • The film concludes with a patriotic tone reminiscent of military recruitment commercials

📖 Full Retelling

Alan Ritchson leads an ensemble cast including Dennis Quaid and Esai Morales in Netflix's sci-fi action film 'War Machine,' released on March 6, 2025, in a straightforward battle between U.S. Army Rangers and a giant alien robot that aims to deliver mindless entertainment for viewers seeking 80s-style action thrills. The film follows Ritchson's character, known only as '81,' who leads a platoon of soldiers on a mission to retrieve a downed pilot in the wilderness, where they encounter a massive alien machine that resembles a large Roomba with legs and possesses deadly capabilities. Ritchson's performance showcases his physical prowess and charisma, though the screenplay offers little opportunity for depth beyond anguished expressions and tactical commands. Director Patrick Hughes, known for 'The Expendables 3' and 'The Hitman's Bodyguard,' stages the action sequences with impressive skill and visceral force, featuring numerous explosions, stunts, and pyrotechnics that justify the film's R rating. The narrative structure includes flashbacks to a tragic military incident in Kandahar involving 81's brother (played by Jai Courtney), though these moments feel underdeveloped and serve primarily as convenient triggers for the protagonist's trauma rather than meaningful character exploration. The film concludes with a patriotic, slow-motion sequence of soldiers with rifles that could easily double as a military recruitment commercial, despite being shot primarily in Australia.

🏷️ Themes

Sci-fi Action, Military Drama, Alien Invasion

📚 Related People & Topics

Netflix

Netflix

American video streaming service

# Netflix **Netflix** is an American subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) over-the-top streaming service. It serves as the primary distribution platform for both original and acquired content, including feature films, television series, documentaries, and specials across a vast array of genres and i...

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Military

Military

Organized force intended for warfare

A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for civil defense or warfare. Militaries are typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with their members identifiable by a distinct military uniform. They may consist o...

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War Machine

Marvel Comics fictional character

War Machine is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by David Michelinie, John Byrne, and Bob Layton as a supporting character for Iron Man, he first appeared in Iron Man #118 (1979) and became a superhero with the Iron Man armor in issue #169 (1983). War ...

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Alan Ritchson

Alan Ritchson

American actor (born 1982)

Alan Michael Ritchson (born November 28, 1982) is an American actor. He made his acting debut as Aquaman / Arthur Curry on The CW superhero series Smallville (2005–10), where he appeared as a guest star between the fifth and 10th seasons. He subsequently had a starring role in the Spike TV sitcom Bl...

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Mentioned Entities

Netflix

Netflix

American video streaming service

 Military

Military

Organized force intended for warfare

War Machine

Marvel Comics fictional character

 Alan Ritchson

Alan Ritchson

American actor (born 1982)
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Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment Action movies don’t get more generic than this second Netflix movie featuring the exact same title as the 2017 Brad Pitt starrer (good luck on your searches). War Machine stars Alan Ritchson of Reacher fame as the leader of a platoon of U.S. Rangers who have the bad luck of encountering a giant killer robot from outer space that seems to be left over from War of the Worlds . The sort of mindless time-killer that will boost your testosterone level while watching it, the film seems perfectly designed for those born too late to have seen the original Predator , or any of its 80s and 90s-era clones, during their theatrical runs. Related Stories Movies 'I Can Only Imagine 2' Review: Milo Ventimiglia in a Merciless MercyMe Sequel Movies Alan Ritchson Faces Otherworldly Threat in Netflix's 'War Machine' Trailer Ritchson’s character, known only as “81,” is given a cursory backstory in the form of an opening scene — set two years before the main action — depicting a tragic military incident involving his brother (an unfortunately underused Jai Courtney ) in Kandahar. Cue the subsequent flashbacks as 81 frequently relives his trauma at inopportune moments. War Machine The Bottom Line Not all it could be. Release date: Friday, March 6 Cast: Alan Ritchson, Blake Richardson, Keiynan Lonsdale, Daniel Webber, Jai Courtney, Esai Morales, Stephan James, Dennis Quaid Director: Patrick Hughes Screenwriters: Patrick Hughes, James Beaufort Rated R, 1 hour 46 minutes Undergoing training in Colorado with a new batch of recruits, 81 finds himself recruited by his commanding officers ( Dennis Quaid and Esai Morales, competing to see who can be the most gruffly macho) to lead a mission to retrieve a downed pilot in the wilderness. It’s there that they encounter the ...
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