Cage narrates the film from a first person perspective, turned with the political hand of Michael Moore-like tenacity but without the sarcastic humor. Based on fact, "Lord of War" combines truth with drama to shed light on how the western powers use agents to conduct arms sales, both legal and spurious, to enrich themselves with money and political power.

Cage offers Yuri as a clever, cool under fire (literally and figuratively) character, ready for our appraisal. He eventually succumbs to power, sacrificing all, even his brother. Leto’s performance is edgy, with deep sadness. Ethan Hawke is the always one step behind Interpol Agent who pursues Yuri across continents. Eamonn Walker as the despot leader of a fictional African country chills you with his cunning and disregard for the lives of his people.

The cinematography in "Lord of War" looks polished when it should and gritty when circumstance and location dictate that something else is called for. A solidly good drama and entertaining, the film also raises questions as to how so many people are able to kill on a large scale so easily, and the message is anything but uplifting. But if you know your enemy, it can inspire you to step out of complacency and do something about it. Yuri is addicted to power, money and the art of the deal as much as Vitaly is to his cocaine. By the time they resolve their issues, some people have seen the light and improved while others stay the course. Not as moving as either "Hotel Rwanda" or "The Constant Gardener," "Lord of War" is more direct in making the point that one person can make a difference¾ for ill or good.