SCENE | SEPTEMBER 22, 2005 | Send features tips

Movie Review
Shooting to the Top
‘Lord of War’ blasts with violence and truth

By Cole Dowden
Contributor to The Shorthorn

The first humans were found with arrowheads in their ribs, says Yuri Orlov (Nicolas Cage) in the early scenes of Lord of War. From there the filmmakers rattle off a vivid tale about a Ukrainian immigrant who becomes the Donald Trump of gunrunning. The film follows Orlov’s rise, fall and triumph in the world of illegal arms sales.

The cinematography dazzles. A particularly delighting scene shows a terrorist firing one of Orlov’s guns, and the film slows down as the sound of a cash register ringing plays as the rifle fires.

The film’s violent matter shouldn’t be taken lightly. This film illustrates the excess of ’80s money and power. The tragic violence capitalized on by Orlov still remains inherent in the world, from the beginning of man to the end.

Orlov takes his wild ride with high style and acidic delivery. His moral struggle is key. He rides this roller coaster with numb detachment. He says in the film, “The first and most important rule of gunrunning is, never get shot with your own merchandise.”

Andrew Niccol wrote and directed this film and has done a spectacular job with a powerful subject and captivating imagery. Niccol’s use of film speed and computer-generated imagery is strong and well placed.

The moral and ethical issues presented might be overlooked and read differently by everyone, but the facts remain powerful and true.

In Lord of War, the gunrunning trade closely mirrors the drug trafficking cartels. The gun buyers are the lowest, most despotic and monstrous madmen in the world. The sellers are businessmen trying to stay as clean as possible but are still knee-deep in blood.

Jared Leto (Vitaly Orlov) plays Orlov’s little brother, and his performance holds up well while his character struggles with his conscience.

Ethan Hawke plays the bulldog-like Interpol agent dead-set on getting Orlov and stopping the violence of Orlov’s trade.

The first-rate acting should not be overlooked due to the subject or the director’s prowess. This tale of the self-made gunrunner is fascinating and steeped in factual events.

The subject matter won’t make you feel good about humanity, but the violence out there remains and will not go away if we continue to ignore it.

Some will see this film as a geo-political hyperbole. Some will see the blood and violence and nothing more. With all the issues put forth, the director makes a political statement with the sound of a gunshot.

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