Ravaged by war and destroyed by greed. Such is the mind of infamous arms dealer Yuri Orlov (Nicolas Cage), the compelling main character of “Lord of War.” “Lord” will blow you away in more ways than one, taking you through the secret world of weapons dealing and, as a result, giving you one of the most unique experiences of the year.

“Lord of War” opens with a young Orlov, a refugee from the Soviet Union stuck in the doldrums of a downtrodden neighborhood. After directly witnessing a vicious murder, Orlov does not mourn or go into shock. Instead, he decides to take advantage of the lucrative arms dealership, beginning what amounts to be an immensely quick rise to the top.

Though the name may suggest otherwise, the film isn't an action packed thrill ride, but a psychological tour through the mind of a complex and powerfully ambitious man. This results in an unfocused plot that breaks away from traditional story telling form, but, if you're willing to accept the film's flawed delivery, you'll be treated to a mind-blowing cinematic experience.

Orlov's dealings in heavy weapons take him into the seedy underbelly of terrorism and tyranny in Russia, Africa, and the Middle East, interwoven with a brother's drug addiction and a beautiful love interest. The story unfolds at an incredibly quick pace, which might leave some viewers overwhelmed. But trying to follow Orlov's various experiences in arms dealing and daily life is part of the experience, and the plot seemingly takes a back seat to Orlov himself.

Cage's performance is surprisingly convincing, as he fully embodies the seemingly frail, but quietly confident, double-talking Orlov, making this the movie's biggest strength. Cage portrays Orlov's twisted mindset to perfection, forcing viewers to almost accept the violent trade. While seemingly immoral in demeanor, Orlov defends his illegal dealings with a strange passion.

He does not condone the murder that his weapons cause, but instead realizes that death and tyranny are inevitable, so why not make the most of it? Death is profitable, so he makes death his business. The argument may seem strange, but seeing Orlov struggle with his own ideals throughout the film is surprisingly impactful, making you wrestle with your own moral values as he does.

However, as with any film, “Lord of War” is not without its flaws. The soundtrack is unmemorable, and the aforementioned plot may be overly complex and can become strangely shallow at a few points. “Lord of War” is far from perfect, but if you manage to overlook its few deficiencies, you'll see a deeply meaningful, and enjoyable, trip through the life of a psychotic genius who profits from the death of children without blinking an eye.

More a psychological analysis than a heartwarming war story, “Lord of War” isn't your typical cinematic experience. It may offend you. You may not follow the quickly paced plot. But your eyes will be opened to the morality behind a business in which bullets are more valuable than gold, and weapons of death are the main attractions.