The Pentagon Wars (1998)

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From the director of “Made In America” and “The Money Pit” comes a hilarious look at one of the most expensive blunders in military history. Over 17 years and almost as many billion dollars have gone into devising the BFV (Bradley Fighting Vehicle). There's only one problem. . . it doesn't work.

Introduction
"The Pentagon Wars" is a 1998 dark funny war movie directed by Richard Benjamin and produced by Howard Meltzer. Co-authored by James Burton, the movie is based on his book, "The Pentagon Wars: Reformers Challenge the Old Guard". It stars Kelsey Grammer, Cary Elwes, and Viola Davis.

Plot
The movie focuses on the development and procurement of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, an infantry transportation lorry planned for the United States Army. Colonel James Burton (Cary Elwes) is assigned by The Pentagon to check the automobile for its efficiency in battle. However, Burton quickly learns that the Bradley basically does not satisfy any of its desired specs and is way over budget.

Dispute
Burton ends up being significantly perplexed by the shortages of the vehicle, identified as a "death trap" by him. He faces obstacles, mistakes, and deliberate misdirection managed by United States Army General, Partridge (Kelsey Grammer), who intends to guarantee the Bradley's production, despite its obvious concerns. Intrigue magnifies as Partridge and his team control test results and prevent Burton's attempts to close down the job.

Exposure and Resolution
Figured out to expose the reality, Burton collects incriminating evidence about the fraudulent treatments concerning Bradley and the substantial risk it positions to the soldiers. Amidst opposition and threats, he handles to bring the doubtful practices to light throughout a Congressional hearing. This ultimately leads to enhancements within the system, more stringent testing and better safety protocols for the production of the Bradley car.

Conclusion
"The Pentagon Wars" is a satirical and yet starkly truthful portrayal of military administration and corruption. It is the battle of one man against the problematic system, motivating viewers about the power of truth and persistence. While the film deals with a grim topic, it balances the story with an undercurrent of humor, making it an interesting watch. This film offers not just a review of the military-industrial complex however supplies a lesson on the value of integrity, sincerity, and dedication to the truth.

Reviews and Reception
The movie received critical recognition for its mix of funny and grim reality while giving a scathing commentary on the elaborate and problematic bureaucracies that typically overshadow the organized faults in military systems. Both Cary Elwes and Kelsey Grammer were praised for their performances, successfully representing the stress between an unrelenting crusader and an unethical enabler of a problematic system. In addition to this, the film's amusing and sharp dialogue, integrated with its satirical approach, were valued by audiences and critics alike.

Overall, "The Pentagon Wars" offers audiences with a comedic yet extremely honest insight into the long-standing problems within the Pentagon's military procurement procedures, making it a must-watch for both funny and war film enthusiasts.

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