On the surface, director David Michod's War Machine is supposed to be a Netflix Original satire comedy based on the period of transitional time following Barack Obama's election. It's also supposed to be a movie based on General Glen McMahon's (played by Brad Pitt) attempt to 'win' the war in Afghanistan. While it is both of those things, it's also neither of those things as this movie confuses its path from the very beginning.

Brad Pitt plays General Glen McMahon, a man known as "Glenimal" among some of his fellow Army Rangers. McMahon is somewhat of a broad caricature of a "tough guy," wild-eyed, half-crazy looking over-the-hill leader who still holds his hand as if a cigar were in it, even though he's way too health conscious to touch them anymore.

In a sense, Pitt's character is the main "satire" in the entire film, as it seems as though he is struggling with the reality that no one wants him or his troops around.

Based on true events

War Machine is based on true events that were documented in the book "The Operators" by American journalist Michael Hastings. After being sent to Afghanistan to access the current status of things on the ground in war-torn Afghanistan (all over top-ranking personnel want to pull out), General McMahon actually asks for 40,000 additional troops. The angry response the General receives reads something like, "You’re not here to win, you’re here to clean up the mess.” That's an answer McMahon is not capable of understanding ,as the only thing he knows is how to lead -- problem is he has no place to lead these people, and they don't want him there.

As the movie goes on the audience starts to realize that McMahon may not understand that he is no longer the great leader he once was.

This movie truly shows the story of enlisted men who are sent to an area of combat that has no future for them at all -- a place their president has already stated he's pulling them out of. If they die, it will essentially be for nothing, as both sides are expecting a complete withdraw.

The insight given is eye-opening and points at what some soldiers likely face across the planet every day.

A movie with no path

The oddest part of War Machine may be how it doesn't hold on to a genre. It's like the madman of films with no direction, but it still manages to put together a decent conclusion. The star power is deep in this one and is the likely reason people will stay tuned in, even if Brad Pitt with grey-hair and a fake and badly forced scrunched up face isn't your thing.

Critics have been giving War Machine mixed reviews on what they believe is not the best content we've seen from all who are involved with this project.

Michod could have improved this film in many ways, including trying a bit of a different approach to the 'over the top' acting performance given by Pitt, although it's more than obvious that Pitt's style was exactly what he was asked to do while the movie was in production. It's safe to say the awards shows won't be lining up for this Netflix original that debut's on Friday, May 26.