Home

The Future of Corporate Combat

image by Veronica V. Jones

Investing in War, Inc.

John Cusack as the battle weary hit man.
Marisa Tomei as the determined reporter.
Hilary Duff as the spoiled pop star.

In yet another inexplicable media miss, we totally blanked on the extremely-limited premiere and subsequent DVD release of John Cusack’s darkly comic War, Inc., a near-future fable of an outsourced American war — and recovery — in the ever-so-slightly fictional country of Turaqistan. Last night we overcame our oversight and beheld this pre-apocalyptic comedic tragedy in all of it’s subversive glory.

A world-weary, overstressed hitman — a familiar role for Mr. Cusack — visits a war-torn country, and experiences an existential crisis while on the job for a multinational band of ex-governmental mercenaries. In this midst of his personal turmoil, Hauser pursues an attractive left-leaning journalist played by Marisa Tomei, while maintaining his cover by wrangling a Central Asian pop princess expertly realized by Hillary Duff.

Touches such as full-motion combat simulators for the press, banner advertising on combat vehicles, and a constantly shifting, yet ever present video image of the CEO of the corporate behemoth Tamerlane keep this film firmly planted in a familiar, but comically dangerous exaggeration of our current world. Not everyone will want to visit this corporation-dominated dystopia, but others will feel that we’re already inexorably on the path to War, Inc.

Whatever your beliefs or ideals, this logical escalation of, and spiritual successor to Grosse Pointe Blank predicts a near-future hyper capitalism that none of us can deny is at least possible — if not inevitable. The ultimate question that we are never quite asked, however, is undeniable: what are we going to do about it?

Written by in November of 2008. Last edited September 2014.

Related Features

The Mobile Deceased Invade in Shaun of the Dead

Simon Pegg as Shaun surrounded by unusual pale commuters. Simon Pegg as Shaun, Nick Frost as Ed and Kate Ashfield as Liz wielding improvised weapons.

Coraline is a Delightful Nightmare

Coraline crosses into the other world through a long florescent tunnel. Coraline's other mother, with her big smile and button eyes. Coraline and Whybie gaze down the deep well in horror.

Another Wild Ride with the Hitchhiker’s Guide

Martin Freeman as Arthur Dent and Sam Rockwell as Zaphod Beeblebrox Zooey Deschanel as Trillian. Mos Def as Ford Prefect and Marvin the Paranoid Android..

Pan’s Labyrinth: a Fascist Fairytale

Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) confronts the faun (Doug Jones). Captain Vidal (Sergi López) grimly surveys his surroundings. Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) reads the Book of Crossroads.

How Did The Last X-Men Stand?

Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier / Professor X. Ian McKellen as Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto. Famke Janssen as Jean Grey / Phoenix. Hugh Jackman as Logan / Wolverine. Kelsey Grammer as Dr. Henry 'Hank' McCoy / Beast. Anna Paquin as Marie / Rogue.

  • Lady Di - February 2nd, 2026 at 8:41 am

    I was blown away!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *