Synopsis: A struggling reporter gets the scoop of a lifetime when he meets a man who claims to be from a unit of psychic soldiers who have been reactivated for the War on Terror.
Release Date: November 6, 2009 MPAA Rating: PG-13
Genre(s): Comedy, War
Film Review
Production
Never could I have imagined the force would be with me in a movie with a title such as this. Yet the force is there, and it is very strong in terms of laughter, plot, and top-notch acting by a cast of nearly all men. (I will leave my feminist rantings on that subject for another time and place.) These men are part of the Earth Army; a kinder gentler army, built on the idea of peace and love and harmony in the world. These men just happen to work for the United States Government. Perplexing…yes; executed brilliantly…a resounding yes. To give away any of the plot or specific originality it displays will only ruin the movie for a perspective viewer. For this is a film that you must expose yourself to in order to really grasp how much fun it truly is and how fulfilled you feel walking out of the auditorium. One thing is for sure though, you will never look at a goat in the same way again.
Writing
The large imagination behind this film’s screenplay only becomes more and more evident as the story moves along and time passes. It is full of pop culture references, as homages or simply pastiche, all the while creating its own unique plotline and a wealth of characters with special abilities. Whether these abilities actually exist is questionable but that is half the fun of experiencing this movie. The mixing of the military, journalism, and psychic ability is at times so far fetched you shake your head in wonderment at the sheer genius of screenwriter Peter Straughan. Each and every line, moment, scenario, and the like fit perfectly together. The story unfolds and releases information just when and where it should, making the viewer remain in a constant state of enlightenment and total disbelief. This film is never serious, but never wholly comedic either; it is that rare film where everything blends together ideally. This is only made possible by a very accomplished script.
Comedy Factor
If you have ever seen Star Wars you must be prepared to laugh very hard. To turn to the person next to you with your mouth gaping open in pure comedic shock. Or to never for a minute expect what is going to happen next, or what will be spoken aloud, or what information you will learn about this secret division of the U.S. military. Only to know that with the next scene, the next introduction of a character, or flashback, frankly at any second, you will without a doubt smile, laugh, or maybe even let out a great cackle. It hurts to not be able to write more, or quote a line from the film, or tell you about a certain scene I cannot get out of my mind. How funny would it be if I gave it all away? Just go and see for yourself.
Cast and Crew
- Director(s): Grant Heslov
- Producer(s): Peter StraughanGeorge Clooney (Lyn Cassidy)
- Screenwriter(s): Ewan McGregor (Bob Wilton)Kevin Spacey (Larry Hooper)Jeff Bridges (Bill Django)
- Story:
- Cast: Tatiana S. RiegelRobert ElswitSharon Seymour
- Editor(s): Louise Frogley
- Cinematographer: Rolfe Kent
- Production Designer(s): Hirota Paint Industries
- Costume Designer:
- Casting Director(s): CIS Hollywood
- Music Score:
- Music Performed By:
- Country Of Origin: USAUK