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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    War Dogs

    Featured In Issue 212, December 2016

    Picture3
    Sound4
    WSR Score4
    Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
    (Studio/Distributor):
    Warner Home Video
    (Catalog Number):
    3000071317
    (MPAA Rating):
    R
    (Rating Reason):
    Language throughout, drug use, and some sexual references.
    (Retail Price):
    $$29.98
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    114
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    A
    (Theatrical Year):
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    (Disc Release Date):
    11/22/2016
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    (Director):
    Todd Phillips
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
    (Music):
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer):
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor):
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers):
    (Co-Producers):
    (Producers):
    (Academy Awards):
    (Principal Photography):
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
    (Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
    (Disc Soundtrack):
    DTS HD Lossless 5.1
    (Theatrical Sound):
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (DTS Bit Rate):
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
    (Additional Languages):
    (Subtitles):

    Based on the Rolling Stones article “Arms & The Dudes” by Guy Lawson, 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. (Gary Reber)

    Special features include three featurettes: General Phillips: Boots On The Ground (HD 08:38), War Dogs: Access Granted (HD 10:08), and Pentagon Pie (HD 02:49); upfront previews; and an UltraViolet digital copy.

    The 2.40:1 1080p AVC picture is pretty decent but not exceptional. The color palette is natural in appearance, but some scenes lit for interiors appear very unnatural with an orange cast. Fleshtones are often unnatural as a result during interior scenes. Contrast is often compromised during interior scenes, with poor shadow delineation. Daylight scenes, whether in Miami Beach or in Jordon, appear far more natural. Resolution is often soft except for close-ups. Overall, this is a mediocre picture and is not distinguished. (Gary Reber)

    The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack features an aggressive surround music score with a mid-eastern quality or American rock. The music at times can be quite prevalent, and fidelity is excellent. Atmospherics are well produced and sound effects, such as gunfire and machine gunfire, sound realistic. Deep bass is strong in the music score and bolsters the occasional sound effect. Dialogue is natural sounding with decent spatial integration, though, at times unnaturally forward. Narration is generally balanced forward. Overall, the soundtrack, while decent enough, does not have any particularly distinguished qualities. (Gary Reber)

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