War Machine review: Alan Ritchson’s sci-fi actioner

War Machine puts Alan Ritchson front and center in a Netflix sci-fi actioner. It’s an ambitious spectacle that doesn’t quite reach modern action classic status, but it delivers enough to satisfy, largely thanks to Ritchson’s strong lead performance. Ritchson plays a battle-hardened veteran known only as 81 who, after a traumatic overseas experience, applies to join the U.S.

Army Rangers and endures one of the most grueling training regimens. His straightforward goal of earning a scroll patch is abruptly upended when a mysterious aircraft crashes on the training ground and its metal proves not of this Earth. The film benefits most from Ritchson keeping the role grounded: a quieter, introverted soldier showing symptoms of PTSD who slowly gains confidence.

By contrast, the supporting cast — including Dennis Quaid, Esai Morales, Jai Courtney, and Stephan James — is given largely generic material, leaving Ritchson to carry much of the emotional weight.

United States

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