You know who won World War II?

It wasn’t the generals, or the admirals.

It was the economists.

More tanks, planes, ships.

And all that spending lifted this entire nation out of poverty.

Freed the world from tyranny.

A big country needs big enemies.

The best enemy we ever had was the Soviet Union.

Our fear of them unified our people.

Gave us purpose.

The problem today, John, is half this country thinks the other half is its enemy.

Because they have no one else to fight.

...

They got that bit right. I love that bit. That this is essentially anti-US propaganda. Or at least a different kind of patriotism. That it flies no flags, that it doesn't put America before the rest of the world, but that it does still honor the fallen and the ambition to make the world a better place. Whilst still acknowledging the naivete and conflicts thereof.

But though the plot's good - makes you think sometimes, and it all feels refreshingly different from the typical action/war movie norm, it's not all perfect.

Scenes get drawn out occasionally. The talk's heavy and long. The main character (played by Michael B. Jordan) has a way of showcasing intensity and seriousness that just doesn't really cut it for me. Tries too hard, maybe? He moves his eyes around. He breaths out with intensity. He goes through rehab and then he's in prison and is ripped as ever, with not a scar to show for those earlier bullet holes. He's inconsistent. He was great in Black Panther, but this came after... hope that wasn't a one-time thing. Or that he's taken on a constant character somehow, as the vengeful villain.

Overall I could have loved this movie. It's intense when it matters too, but it gives off B-movie vibes in relations and expressions, and unfortunately comes across feeling shallow in other ways, refreshingly philosophical script or no.

Hope it didn't do too bad though in the box office. Would be interesting to see a few more classic Tom Clancy works in movie form, if they don't have a Splinter Cell or Ghost Recon out already...

 rated 3.5/5: not bad at all

That which you most need will be found where you least want to look.

The thing worse than rebellion is the thing that causes rebellion.

1. When you are alone, mind your thoughts.
2. When you are with friends, mind your tongue.
3. When you are angry, mind your temper.
4. When you are with a group, mind your behavior.
5. When you are in trouble, mind your emotions.
6. When God starts blessing you, mind your ego.

You might want to mind the sixth one too, but never mind actually, the ego could be a problem regardless. Always best to mind it.

And wherever your blessing come from: be thankful for 'em.

Nobody can stop the free market! It's the mark of a... true artist. No martial law just martial art is!

Sometimes we suffer because we are stuck in a chapter we are meant to grow out of.

In reference to Bam Margera's recent and possibly ongoing breakdown above, though it hit close to home too...