The first trailer for Todd Phillips' next film WAR DOGS (formerly ARMS & THE DUDES) has arrived, courtesy of Warner Bros., and, if this doesn't look about as bro-tastic as a movie about a pair of Miami guys who land a Pentagon contract and proceed to live the high life as they get in way over their heads should, then I don't know what you were expecting.
Based on a true story, WAR DOGS follows two friends in their early 20s (Hill and Teller) living in Miami Beach during the Iraq War who exploit a little-known government initiative that allows small businesses to bid on U.S. Military contracts. Starting small, they begin raking in big money and are living the high life. But the pair gets in over their heads when they land a 300 million dollar deal to arm the Afghan Military—a deal that puts them in business with some very shady people, not the least of which turns out to be the U.S. Government.
WAR DOGS looks to hit every wild and crazy point contained within that synopsis, almost to the point that it feels very close to mimicking the douchebaggery that ran prevalent throughout Martin Scorsese's THE WOLF OF WALL STREET. It's all about selfish dudes looking out for their own best interests without learning a thing while others pay the price. Now you make those characters compelling enough, and you've got something worth watch. If the audience absolutely can't stand your protaganists, then your movie is going to have big problems.
These are the types of movies that always get accused of glorifying horrendous behavior, but we'll have to see how it shakes out. No one really wants to see good things happen to these fellas, right?
WAR DOGS is set for release on August 19.