From the American dream of an escaped boy to the end of the nightmare of a shadow emperor. Yuri's life is actually the history of human warfare from the 1980s to the beginning of this century. It's not the understatement of remote wars in newspapers or textbooks, but bloody, brutal and heinous massacres.
With the appearance of guns and weapons, one person has the power to kill another, and one group of people has the power to kill another group of people. Violence becomes cheap and rampant.
After the end of the Cold War, money became a substitute for ideology. The arms dealer abandoned his political stance and became a frantically profit-seeking businessman, becoming Judas. This is none of my business-it has become their mantra and creed. Even if innocent lives were slaughtered before his eyes, he just closed his eyes. His money is bloodied and his heart is as cold as iron.
This film separates Yuri, played by Cage, from American society. He is like a ghost traveling the world and a spokesperson for American crimes. His wife, brother and parents finally left him. He was not a native American, but he was immersed in the darkness and depravity of America. He has a deep connection with the military and political leaders. He is their white gloves, their tentacles and pipes.
When the two most essential things in the human soul—violence and desire—are recognized and pursued, the world may become hell. In the film, Yuri seems to be immortal, as if always energetic. He is like the devil in the Bible, like the opposite of God, the negative balance of good. His existence always reminds us of the original darkness and impurity in our hearts.
A transaction does not seem to carry any good or evil. The whole world is built on the basis of transactions. Planes, trains, and freighters are constantly shuttled back and forth on the surface of the earth. Are there really no distinctions between good and evil? No, the film reveals the essence of the transaction: the equivalence and exchange of money and conscience.
When Jesus entered the temple in Jerusalem, he saw the tireless trading of Jews. He drove them away. In the sanctuary of God, in the conscience of mankind, there should be no bargaining. There should be love, justice, forgiveness and dedication.
As long as there are still conscience and money transactions in this world, there are uncritical and unchecked violence and desires, then Yuri will never die and will always control the planet.
Resident pen.
View more about Lord of War reviews
