Vice

There's no doubt that Vice will play best to those who regard Cheney as a political manipulator of the highest order, but even if you don't, do your best to appreciate the level of skill it takes to accomplish everything seen in this fantastic film.

Ambitious and uneven, the film is an often devastating portrait of a corporate-military gangster.

What contributes a good deal toward making Vice valuable and effective, in the end, is the filmmakers' genuine anger. They despise the warmongers responsible for some of the greatest war crimes of modern times. They deserve credit for that.

Bale's uncanny take on the character is fuelled by a low key performance. He understands that Cheney knew the power of a carefully placed whisper out punches a tantrum every time.

Mean-spirited and empty, Vice lacks the depth and maturity of a quality biopic, instead focusing on fist-waving and condescension.