Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016)

I thought Whiskey Tango Foxtrot was an okay movie. Not great, but okay. It did not have enough action or suspense to be held up by those pillars. It had some R-rated romance, but not so steamy that the movie could fly with just the romantic involvement of the two leads. It had some elements concerning the philosophy of life, but that was not what the movie was about. I've got it... the film was a little bit like being in a boat that wasn't big enough to have a party or even make love, moving too fast to fish out of, and not sea-worthy enough for a long trip. How's that for an analogy?But the biggest problem I had with it was Tina Fey as the female war correspondent. Give me some time and I could come up with 50 actresses that would have been better cast. I noticed that Tiny Fey was of the film's producers. I wonder if that helps explain things to me.

First of all sorry for my broken English. I have to say something about this movie. Spoiler ahead. As I said, the movie is more than good but what I want to bring to viewers attention is just one scene. Liberation of the Scotish photographer. I'd never, never NEVER!!! expect what I've seen. I almost lost my breath. It's probably one of the best military action ever recorded in any movie. I'm talking about video. What makes it absolutely unforgettable (for me) is audio behind it. From the moment when choppers door close with marines in it, there is no actual sound...but there is a song. And who put that song with what is going on the ground is pure genius. Never...never in a million years, I'd expect that combination.

The film is loosely based on a true story. Desk jockey Kim Baker (Tina Fey) volunteers to go to Afghanistan to cover the war with the Taliban. We see the initial cultural shock and then her quick adaptation and acceptance of the life style. She gets to the point where she becomes addicted to the rush from getting a dangerous story. While on assignment she loses a boyfriend and gains a boyfriend (Martin Freeman).I enjoyed the film for what it was, but not for the comedy they attempted to sell it as. They cut every funny clip from the film and showed them as previews. When those clips are watched in context, they lose their humor (plus I've seen them before.) This was not a strong role for Fey, although the content of the plot kept it alive. I have mixed thoughts about the use/misuse of Harry Nilsson. Is that the song they really wanted? Guide: Plenty of swearing. Brief sex scene. No nudity.

Initially, the script is quite humorous, and though you're able to tell that there is some noticeable level of comedy in this film, you sense that, especially it being a bio, amidst all the laughs, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is going to drop a bomb so massive on its viewers, it could bore a hole as big as Dean's Blue, right in your chest.Sadly, as the movie progresses, the humor also diminishes, and even worse, the expectation and anticipation of something stirring and extraordinary happening, turns out to be a... dud. Not quite the "boring", I was hoping for.Why is this even a biography? Why is it a biography worth telling? Why, did we need to see America's resources used to save some Scottish dude, in a very none thrilling, exciting or memorable fashion? Why? Is there something I missed? Why, did we need to see a story, of some woman, who didn't want to be at a desk anymore, unnecessarily risk her life, and the lives of her peers? Why did we need to see her predictably failing relationship with the boyfriend who's constantly travelling, in fact fail? And Tanya and Ali's arcs, felt as if they were just, abandoned. OK fine, maybe not so much with Ali, but man, this film is just a WTF let down.I don't know, this movie feels pretty meaningless, unless the message is; "Why-so-serious-son". Lets depict war and "terror" in a, not so significant light perhaps?I give this film 5/10. When it starts, its funny and sets you up... Just to feel, set up, at the end of it all.