This is one of those films that has lots of potential with so many wonderful concepts and big ideas but unfortunately stumbles in its own excessive garbage and required 30 to 40 minutes of cuts/editing so that it has any kind of unique impact of being entertaining instead of just being a parody of failed genius story telling.

I love most the the films from Russell especially the fighter and obviously American hustle but this one was very deranged and scatological to the point that it wasn't even necessary - and it begs the question of how on earth did this get Green lit even at the end.

The endless cameos from so many talented actors can't breathe fresh air into this bizarre story that just didn't need to be told in this complex manner - even though it has a wonderful message at the end it was mostly wasted because it was not cut properly in the editing room. Christian Bale is phenomenal and Washington / Margot but the Amsterdam and War hospital scenes could easily have been cut down to move the story that by the end of the 1st act you wonder what on earth is the point of these theatrics.

Kudos to Regency for allowing this over priced derange story to even end up in a theater but that's the beautiful thing about Art is that this is one of the films that is bound to be a massive flop yet a lesson in sometimes less is More.

It's still a solid 5 or 6 but could've been a decent film if the script was tighter - and Chris Rick was so miscast it was pathetic to see him play himself that it ruined that part of the movie any time he showed up. All that was missing was Denzel or Morgan Freeman as disfigured Veterans with Will Smith getting slapped. At least it made one laugh at how preposterous the story had mushroomed into a parade of itself.

The themes and ideas were so unique and refreshing yet not tied together in the writing and editing to provide a comprehensive entertaining story.

Yet Russell deserves a break in having a missed landing and flop of a film and surely will rise again to the occasion on his next film - maybe with Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper and Amy Adam's - but even their acting talent would not save this bloated excessively bizarre script.

A 5 for the acting and great costumes Better luck next time- thanks for the trippy ride.