DVD Review: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

Naming your film “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” called be either a ballsy move or just opening the door to ridicule. It’s easy to recognize the phonetic alphabet used by the military in the title, essentially meaning “WTF,” which to be honest is what some people will be thinking after sitting down to watch this war-time comedy drama.

But don’t assume that I’ve written the film off already with that one opening sentience. The film which stars Tina Fey as a network news journalist whose realised that she’s in a rut, career and socially, decides to jump at the opportunity of heading to cover the war in Afghanistan in the mid-2000s. Fortunately from an early point the film makes fun of it’s white american lady angle and runs at a nice pace being a typical fish-out-of-water coamedy.

Being loosely based on a true story gives Whiskey it’s strength, forcing itself to take some serious looks at the war. Whilst this is never too deep as to ruin the flow of the laughs it does make you realise that there is still a danger to being a war correspondence. Whiskey gives more clarity whoever to the way covering a conflict affects you personally, turning you into an adrenaline junkie, which again is used to comedic relief though also has it’s serious side featured.

All in all Whiskey Tango Foxtrot hits mostly all the right buttons, and even if it’s not quite the riot the trailers may have suggested, at least it’s not Rock the Kasbah and it does feature a very funny New Zealand Dolphin joke.

Rating: R16 Violence, offensive language, drug use & sexual material.

FILMGUIDE rating:

3-5-160

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