The Pentagon Wars (1998)

The Pentagon is trying to field a new armored personnel carrier into production to replace the aging M113. The main objective was a vehicle that could get combat troops into the battle as quickly and safely as possible. So when the design was finally established certain generals decided they wanted the Bradley Armored Personnel Carrier to be able to do additional missions as well. So a larger cannon was added which caused it to be larger. Since it was larger it became more of a target so additional armor was added. But since it had more armor it caused it to be slower and so aluminum replaced steel. And so on. Eventually, rather than having a vehicle that could get soldiers into the field quickly and safely, it became a monstrosity that was actually unsafe for the soldiers. Yet rather than admit these design flaws the decision was made to hurry up production as if getting the project approved was the ultimate symbol of success. At any rate, this film is so funny because this scenario is so close to the truth when it comes to the military industrial complex. Billions of dollars (with a "b") are spent on weapons contracts while soldiers are constantly short-changed on a litany of issues important to them. Be that as it may I thought Kelsey Grammar ("General Partridge") and Cary Elwes ("LTC James Burton) performed in an excellent manner. I also enjoyed the performance of Viola Davis as the loyal sergeant, "SFC Fanning". In short, this is a really good film that I highly recommend for anyone who has ever served or cares to see what goes on behind closed doors. Again, it's closer to the truth than many people realize.

**Here be spoilers**Comedy? Where? Lt.Colonel Burton (Cary Elwes) get an assignment to investigate a project to develop the new troop-carrier Bradley, a project we soon learn that has been going on for almost two decades resulting in a freak vehicle. Of course, the officers in charge of the project Maj. General Partridge (Kelsey Grammer), Col. J.D. Block (John C McGinley) and Maj. William Sayers (Tom Wright), is determined to finalize the project and start producing the vehicle, no matter the vehicle is a major disaster. These officers are so determined so they refuse to do full testing of the vehicle, knowing it would give disastrous results. Burton on the other hand soon discover the true nature of the vehicle and demands that full live tests should be done. The tests is then sabotaged by Block and Sayers, giving no good results even if it is evident that the vehicle is a danger to anybody except possibly the enemy. From his end Partridge works behind the scenes frequently relocate Burton to stop his investigation. Finally all result in a hearing with a senate committee.The plot contains no suspense at all, and is totally predictable, especially since the story jumps back and forth in time giving good clues how it all ends. Before I watched the movie I read a brief review of the plot, and saw it was listed as a comedy, I had some expectations. I was hoping for hoaxes and fun twists, something alike "Sgt. Bilko" with Steve Martin and "Down Periscope" with Kelsey Grammer himself. In addition I saw that the cast featured at least three persons that have proven themselves within the comedy genre, I am of course thinking of Grammer, Elwes and McGinley.I was very disappointed, since I can't really find anything funny with this movie. There are no outright jokes, the way the tests are sabotaged are not funny or even somewhat clever. Actually I can not imagine how this was called a comedy. The war-genre might apply, even if we see absolutely no war action (except some historical images in the introduction), otherwise, drama is much better in my opinion.The cast is neither good or bad, seem to have been another day at work for most of them. Nothing spectacular, nobody rises above the thin material, no one a disappointment either.Just let this one go quietly into some archive, lost to history.3/10

Members of the Pentagon brass takes a direct hit in this witty Richard Benjamin satire about the efforts of a whistle-blower(Cary Elwes) to test a defective Bradley troop transport/combat vehicle. Kelsey Grammer plays Major General Partridge a wordy, self serving horse's ass. Mocking humor. Supporting cast includes:John C. McGinley, Viola Davis, Tom Wright and director Benjamin plays Secretary of Defense Casper Weinberger.

The story itself--the crazy process whereby a simple request for an improved armored personnel carrier resulted in the ridiculous initial design for the Bradley transport--is one that should be well-known. It is the ultimate cautionary tale about a bureaucracy gone out of control. What is amazing is the light-handed skill with which the story is told--it is funny when it should be, yet sucks you in sufficiently to get you really mad at what is going on. And the casting is superb.