War Dogs is a 2016 biographical crime war comedy-drama film directed by Todd Phillips. While the film garnered attention for its comedic take on a serious subject, parents should be aware of its content, particularly concerning violence and mature themes. This guide aims to provide parents with a detailed breakdown of the violence and gore depicted in War Dogs to help them make informed decisions about whether the movie is suitable for their children.
Gun Violence and Combat
The film contains several scenes depicting gun violence, which is central to the plot concerning arms dealing. These scenes, while not excessively graphic in gore, are frequent and can be intense:
- Opening Ambush Scene: The movie opens with a high-tension scene where the protagonists are transporting weapons. They encounter a group of armed men in jeeps who open fire on their truck. This scene includes rapid gunfire and the threat of violence, although no graphic injuries are shown. The US Army intervenes, with a helicopter and Humvees engaging the attackers in gunfire.
- Gun Demonstration and Testing: Characters are shown handling and testing firearms. One scene shows a man firing an AK-47 at barrels, while another character practices with a pistol at a target depicting human figures. These scenes, while not violent in themselves, normalize gun use and are part of the film’s thematic focus on weaponry.
- Implied Threat with Firearms: In one scene, a frustrated customer brandishes a gun and fires into the air to intimidate drug dealers. This demonstrates the casual presence of firearms and their use as tools for intimidation.
- Weapons Trade Show Scene: A tense moment occurs at a weapons expo when a man points a gun at another man’s chest, highlighting the ever-present potential for violence in this environment.
Alt text: A man shooting an AK-47 rifle outdoors at metal barrels, demonstrating the film’s depiction of weapon handling and firearms.
Physical Violence and Assault
Beyond gun violence, War Dogs also includes scenes of physical altercations and implied violence:
- Warehouse Beatings: The film depicts two instances of men being physically assaulted. One scene shows a man being dragged from a car trunk and beaten, resulting in a bloody nose. While not excessively graphic, the scene involves visible violence and audible distress. Another scene implies a beating taking place in a hotel room, with sounds of shouting and groaning suggesting violence occurring off-screen.
- Restaurant Punch and Glass Break: A brief but impactful scene in a restaurant shows a man punching another man, causing him to fall and break a glass table. This moment of sudden violence is jarring and emphasizes the aggressive nature of some characters.
- Elevator Punch: In a more personal act of violence, a character punches another in the nose in an elevator, causing bruising. This scene illustrates casual violence between acquaintances.
- Flashback and Present Violence: The film includes brief footage of WWII bombings and battlefields, transitioning to modern-day US soldiers in Afghanistan amidst gunfire. While not directly showing graphic injuries, these scenes evoke the violence of war and conflict.
Alt text: Scene from War Dogs showing two men forcefully pulling a man out of a car trunk in a snowy environment, representing physical violence and threat.
Other Potentially Disturbing Content
Aside from direct violence, War Dogs contains other elements that parents may find concerning:
- Threat of Grenade: In a tense business dispute, a character throws a golden hand grenade into an office. While it does not detonate, the act is threatening and could be frightening for younger viewers.
- FBI Arrests: The film includes scenes of FBI agents arresting characters, which, while not violent, can be unsettling, particularly for younger children.
- References to Death and Disappearance: Characters discuss the disappearance and presumed death of a cab driver, creating a sense of unease and implied violence. The film also includes a funeral scene, showing a coffin and mourners, which deals with the topic of death directly.
- Mature Themes: The movie deals with mature themes such as illegal arms dealing, war profiteering, and deception. These complex topics may be difficult for younger viewers to understand and could be considered inappropriate for children.
Alt text: Scene of FBI agents in kevlar vests arresting two men on a sidewalk, illustrating the law enforcement aspect and consequences of actions in War Dogs.
Conclusion: Is War Dogs Suitable for Children?
War Dogs is rated R for strong language throughout, drug use, and some violence. This parents guide highlights that while the film is not excessively gory, it contains frequent scenes of gun violence, physical altercations, and threatening situations. The mature themes and subject matter, combined with the depicted violence, make War Dogs unsuitable for young children. Older teenagers and adults may find the film’s dark humor and commentary on war and arms dealing engaging, but parents should carefully consider the content outlined in this guide before allowing younger viewers to watch War Dogs.
