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Created Dec 06, 2008 09:00PM PST • Edited Dec 06, 2008 09:00PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   OK 2.5

   A mostly ineffective satire on the commercialization of war, this movie follows the tabasco drinking Brand Hauser’s (John Cusack) journey to the fictional Turaqistan to assasinate “Omar Sharif” while under cover as a trade show producer. The film has lots of chuckle producing over the top moments, like “Golden Palace” placards on Tanks, the “war experience” virtual realty show for journalists, “Yonica Babyyeah” (Hilary Duff) as an international pop star, and the dancing girls promoting prosthetic devices.

4. Acting

   Very Good 3.5

   John Cusack was great, albeit limited by the writing. Marisa Tomei also seemed to be not quite up to her potential because of the script itself. Without those two, I feel the movie would have been a total flop. Hilary Duff was a surprise to see out of her tween roles on the Disney chanel, and the relatively sparse appearances from Joan Cusack (who was a hoot!), Dan Aykroyd, and Ben Kingsley were all welcome additions.

5. Male Stars Very Good 3.5

6. Female Stars Very Good 3.5

7. Female Costars Very Good 3.5

8. Male Costars Very Good 3.5

10. Film

    OK 2.5

    Much of the movie was disjoint, but towards the middle to end it came together more cohesively. If only the writing was funnier, the style of mixing in cameos and silly moments would have worked better than it did.

11. Direction OK 2.5

12. Play OK 2.5

13. Music OK 2.5

14. Visuals OK 2.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 2.5

    Probably the most shocking was the bad language coming from Hilary Duff. Otherwise, some violence and language — but nothing too bad…

17. Sex Titillating 2.5

18. Violence Fierce 2.5

19. Rudeness Salty 2.5

21. Reality

    Surreal 2.9

22. Circumstantial Surreal 2.9

23. Biological Surreal 2.9

24. Physical Surreal 2.9