Cuba Gooding Jr. and J.K Simmons star in this movie. And frankly, that is about as far as you can get me to say anything more than a wild guess pertaining to what goes on in this movie's plot. The story it's self is a confusing fare, involving Cuba's cardboard cut-out character shooting at Arabs in a random abandoned building, finding a guy who is heavily implied to be Osama bin-Laden sick in bed, his wife getting killed and watching a boxing match. This is not helped at all by the fact that the movie is told in flashbacks, so that the ending of the movie is actually the middle of the plot. I think? Who knows, and who cares. I watched until the end purely to see if maybe some form of explanation or resolution would be offered, and none was to be had.Adding to the confusion for DVD viewers--at least for me--was the fact the often muttered speech is not helped at all by the subtitles, which were often displaying text that was several scenes ahead of what was going on, mostly confusing but sometimes unintentionally funny.Cuba, I seriously hope that you took this on for a boat payment, and that this is not a sign of your future career. Fingers crossed!

But I won't. Simply because any film with Cuba Gooding Jr deserves more respect. To be honest, after spending (wasting) 90mins watching the DVD (thankfully it only cost me 1.95 to rent it), I was less amazed at HOW BAD it was, than the fact that someone could actually produce a movie like this.The other reviewers had mentioned some of the "potential" underlying the film -- Cuba, war film, conspiracy, revenge .....it had all the makings of a classic war hero-turned-national-traitor-for-honor film. But somehow, not only the potential was not materialized, it just went downhill from the 1st min onwards.Typically, I watch movies with the intention to unwind, relax, cast myself off to another dimension where I don't have to think much and can intuitively follow the movie plot (i.e. typical Hollywood movie). This movie was ANYTHING but typical. It bordered on the artistic and philosophical, which really, was a turn-off for me.However, after reading some of the positive reviews, I guess I could see the value of the philosophy that the producers tried to carry across.All in all, AVOID the move at all costs if you are expecting a typical Hollywood production.

It has occurred to many American leaders the wars in the Middle East could all be won if their main adversary could be captured or killed. This being the prevailing belief, a film was created with that scenario in mind and is called " The Way of War. " The story involves special opts agent David Wolfe (Cuba Gooding Jr.), Specialist Sanchez (J. Omar Castro), two elite soldiers led by Sergeant Mitchell (J.K.Simmons) who have been recruited and dropped into Afganistan, where the hiding place of Osama Ben laden, (Vernel Bagneris) has been discovered with the intention of killing him. What they quickly discover is their mock mission is a set-up and they are to be classified as Killed in action then honored as Heroes. The secret covert mission is created so The White House could claim victory over the terrorists and bring peace. Unfortunately, the plan goes awry when Wolfe returns to America and is thereafter hunted down by Federal agents. Claiming he is a dangerous delusional soldier, they try and kill him, murder his girl and anyone who helps him. He is befriended by a store owner (Clarence Williams III) who allows him to confront his adversaries. The film is threadbare with co-cohesive story, darkly complex and ill burdened with philosophy. Gooding does a great job of acting, but the back and forth film is more confusing than it needs to be. This is a scenario which America is waiting to hear, but hopefully it won't be as mangled as this movie. ***

I can't believe Cuba would be in this. I have enjoyed him in other roles, but this movie is pathetic. Has he sunk this low to accept such a role? After seeing him in movies like Tuskegee Airmen, Jerry Maguire, and Pearl Harbor (to name a few), I expected a lot more here. The only saving grace was getting to see Clarence Williams III (Linc in original Mod Squad TV series). J. K. Simmons is normally a good actor, but there was nothing to work with here. There was not enough of a cohesive plot to go around though. Don't bother watching this one. The dialog was random and nonsensical. Everyone wanted to talk in hushed tones and mysterious, incomplete thoughts. I'm glad I only wasted a $1 renting this one.