Fury (2014)
Dir: David Ayer
Stars: Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Michael Pena, Jon Bernthal, Jason Isaacs
Runtime: 2hr 14 (134mins)
Stars: Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Michael Pena, Jon Bernthal, Jason Isaacs
Runtime: 2hr 14 (134mins)
Story
April, 1945. As the Allies make their final push in the European Theatre, a battle-hardened army sergeant named Wardaddy commands a Sherman tank and his five-man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Out-numbered, out-gunned, and with a rookie soldier thrust into their platoon, Wardaddy and his men face overwhelming odds in their heroic attempts to strike at the heart of Nazi Germany. (taken from www.imdb.com)
Review
Many directors have a favourite genre they like to play
around with. Take Sergio Leone and his
penchant for westerns or Eli Roth, trying to scare the bejesus out with his
tales of horror and gore.
Never has this been truer than David Ayer and the crime genre. Take a look at his profile on IMDb and you will see a plethora of police based thrillers and dramas. Although he has had a few writing credits in other styles, his directing credits are all, save for 1 short, cops'n'criminals.
So one can only imagine that removing himself from his comfort zone, away from the boys in blue and the streets of LA to the battlefields of Germany (circa 1945) and war-weary soldiers, must have been quite a daunting proposition.
Now, i have been a fan of David Ayers work for a long time, so i was very keen to see how he would make the transition. After reading in Empire magazine a good 9 or so months ago and seeing the cast, my expectations where fuelled all the more. Then came the first trailer and, BOOM!, i was sold.
So this evening, i took myself along to an early screening and settled in for the ride.
Never has this been truer than David Ayer and the crime genre. Take a look at his profile on IMDb and you will see a plethora of police based thrillers and dramas. Although he has had a few writing credits in other styles, his directing credits are all, save for 1 short, cops'n'criminals.
So one can only imagine that removing himself from his comfort zone, away from the boys in blue and the streets of LA to the battlefields of Germany (circa 1945) and war-weary soldiers, must have been quite a daunting proposition.
Now, i have been a fan of David Ayers work for a long time, so i was very keen to see how he would make the transition. After reading in Empire magazine a good 9 or so months ago and seeing the cast, my expectations where fuelled all the more. Then came the first trailer and, BOOM!, i was sold.
So this evening, i took myself along to an early screening and settled in for the ride.
The first thing i noticed was how good the cinematography
was. From the opening shots, it was clear, that this film was going to look
good. And it really did!
It really doesn't take long to get introduced to the characters and there is very little back story, so it just kicks off and gives the viewer the credibility to work out that these guys have seen action and are a tight unit.
I won't go into the film much as that would spoil it for you and the one thing i hate is to be that person who ruins a movie for everyone.
I'd have to say that this is by far Ayers best work to date and could be in with a shot of being my best film of the year.
The characters are well written and multi-dimensional, which is such a pleasure to behold. Pitt, LeBeouf, Pena, Bernthal and Lerman do a stellar job at keeping the audiences attention and even without much of a back story to each, we soon get to bond with them and feel the heartache and sorrow that befell the troops during the conflict.
OK, i need to mention the sound. Incredible! From the smallest insignificant creaking inside the tank to the clear whistling of the shells as they shoot across their intended targets. The sound of battle may never be repeated quite as harrowing as 'Saving Private Ryan' but in my opinion 'Fury' comes close. The visual effects are very understated and add real terror to the scenes with phosphorous (tracer) rounds zinging in every direction.
For those squeamish out there "look away now". Some of the horrors of war have been brutally captured with 'Fury' and although not in abundance, some scenes will have an impact on even the hardest of viewers.
Composers over the last several years have really upped their game and Steven Price is a name that should be on everyones lips over the next few years. His score is hauntingly brilliant. As a companion to the movie it is tied with Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross' score for 'Gone Girl' as my favourite of 2014.
It really doesn't take long to get introduced to the characters and there is very little back story, so it just kicks off and gives the viewer the credibility to work out that these guys have seen action and are a tight unit.
I won't go into the film much as that would spoil it for you and the one thing i hate is to be that person who ruins a movie for everyone.
I'd have to say that this is by far Ayers best work to date and could be in with a shot of being my best film of the year.
The characters are well written and multi-dimensional, which is such a pleasure to behold. Pitt, LeBeouf, Pena, Bernthal and Lerman do a stellar job at keeping the audiences attention and even without much of a back story to each, we soon get to bond with them and feel the heartache and sorrow that befell the troops during the conflict.
OK, i need to mention the sound. Incredible! From the smallest insignificant creaking inside the tank to the clear whistling of the shells as they shoot across their intended targets. The sound of battle may never be repeated quite as harrowing as 'Saving Private Ryan' but in my opinion 'Fury' comes close. The visual effects are very understated and add real terror to the scenes with phosphorous (tracer) rounds zinging in every direction.
For those squeamish out there "look away now". Some of the horrors of war have been brutally captured with 'Fury' and although not in abundance, some scenes will have an impact on even the hardest of viewers.
Composers over the last several years have really upped their game and Steven Price is a name that should be on everyones lips over the next few years. His score is hauntingly brilliant. As a companion to the movie it is tied with Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross' score for 'Gone Girl' as my favourite of 2014.
I am one of those people who stays through the end credits. Not because i want to see if there is anything post credits but as one who feels that a true movie lover should give those few minutes to appreciate everyone who was involved. The final piece of music that runs over the credits has made me want to get the score at my earliest convenience.
After the abysmally miscast 'Sabotage', i was beginning to wonder if Ayer was on a slippery slope. Luckily 'Fury' was everything i had hoped for and i await to see what he can do next, as he dips his toe into the superhero genre with DC Comics antihero saga 'Suicide Squad'.
To summarise 'Fury' is a war movie as unique as the cast itself. It has some tremendous scenes of human behaviour in the fog of war.
The action is nail-bitingly tense. Powerful performances, great sound and visual with a superb score to compliment the film. I only have a few negative points and though i wont dwell on them but i think Ayer missed the trick of capturing the claustrophobia
of 5 men within the confines of the tank.
I would like to see the film again in IMAX but i may not have the funds and there are a few films released over the next couple of months i am looking forwards to.
#OneWordReview - Spectacular 8.5/10
After the abysmally miscast 'Sabotage', i was beginning to wonder if Ayer was on a slippery slope. Luckily 'Fury' was everything i had hoped for and i await to see what he can do next, as he dips his toe into the superhero genre with DC Comics antihero saga 'Suicide Squad'.
To summarise 'Fury' is a war movie as unique as the cast itself. It has some tremendous scenes of human behaviour in the fog of war.
The action is nail-bitingly tense. Powerful performances, great sound and visual with a superb score to compliment the film. I only have a few negative points and though i wont dwell on them but i think Ayer missed the trick of capturing the claustrophobia
of 5 men within the confines of the tank.
I would like to see the film again in IMAX but i may not have the funds and there are a few films released over the next couple of months i am looking forwards to.
#OneWordReview - Spectacular 8.5/10