Fury (15) review
If ever you needed reminding just how grim World War II was, Fury serves as a chilling return to one of our darkest times.
David Ayer’s (Training Day) epic follows a battle-hardened Allied tank crew of American soldiers during the final months of Nazi-occupied Germany.
Films of this genre may have been done to death over the years, but Fury really brings something fresh to the table – something I didn’t consider possible before I took my place at Boston’s West End Cinema.
It’s rare for a film to focus on the end of something as massive as WW2, but that’s where we find Don ‘Wardaddy’ Collier (Brad Pitt) and his crew.
Having endured three years aboard their tank Fury, Wardaddy, his driver Trini Garcia (Michael Pena), gunner Boyd Swan (Shia LaBeouf) and loader Grady Travis (Jon Bernthal) are broken men.
They are one of the few surviving tanks, with the rest suffering devastating losses at the hands of superior German armour and fire-power.
One of those losses is their assistant driver, which forces fresh faced youngster Norman Ellison (Logan Lerman) upon them. He’s never seen a day of combat – and reacts to the horrors of war in the way you or I most likely would.
The main slice of the film centres on a day-long mission that sees them attempt to take back an occupied town, try to neutralise any enemy armour and then bid to ‘hold the line’ at a dangerous-looking crossroads.
It’s essentially Mission: Impossible for the men, but they simply have to play the hand they’ve been dealt.
Fury’s greatest strength is its cast. Pitt is, of course, outstanding as Wardaddy.
Those of you that saw him in Inglorious Basterds will know he’s a dab hand at this type of role.
He’s bad-ass, yet kind. Ruthless, but seemingly fragile behind his battle-scarred exterior. You’ll root for him.
Equally, Fury serves as a return to form for LaBeouf (Transformers), while The Walking Dead’s Bernthal delivers an intimidating performance as Travis in one of his first major big screen roles.
I was also hugely impressed with Lerman (Noah). He serves as the character you’ll most relate to – and it’s almost like you’ve been plonked in the tank yourself.
If I had to offer any criticism of Fury, it’s perhaps that the final battle feels a little far removed from the incredible story that came before it.
It’s almost like Ayer goes from Saving Private Ryan to The Expendables in the click of a finger.
That’s no slight on The Expendables (I love that mindless action), but Fury felt amazingly real up until a certain point.
However, that failed to ruin an otherwise moving story that I’d highly recommend to you. One line in the film stayed with me after I walked out: “Wait until you see it,” remarks LaBeouf’s character. “What a man can do to another man.”
And for me, that sums this film up perfectly. You’ve seen WW2 films before and know how ghastly it was.
But Fury goes deeper in the psyche of those unfortunate enough to be involved – and it’s scarily good stuff.
Rating: 4/5 (watched at West End Cinema, Boston)
Showtimes at West End Cinema, Boston (October 31 to November 6)
EVENT CINEMA
ANDRE RIEU LIVE AT MAASTRICHT
7.45pm (Sun)
FRANKENSTEIN
7pm (Mon)
CINEMA
**OUIJA (15)
2.15pm (Wed), 5pm (Fri/Sat/Sun), 7pm (not Mon), 9pm (daily)
**HORNS (15)
1.20pm (Wed), 6pm (daily), 8.40pm (daily)
FURY (15)
2.25pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Wed), 5.20pm (daily) 8.20pm (not Mon), 8.40pm (Mon)
LOVE ROSIE (15)
4pm (Fri/Sat/Sun), 6.30pm (Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs)
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 3D (12A)
2pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Wed), 6.30pm (daily), 8.45pm (not Sun/Mon)
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 2D (12A)
10am (Fri/Sat/Sun), 12.15pm (Fri/Sat/Sun), 4.15pm (daily)
ANNABELLE (15)
2pm (Wed), 6.30pm (Fri/Sat/Sun), 8.45pm (daily)
THE MAZE RUNNER (12A)
2.30pm (Fri/Sat/Sun), 4.30pm (Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs)
ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE VERY BAD NO GOOD DAY (PG)
10am (Fri/Sat/Sun), noon (Sat/Sun), 2pm (Fri/Sat/Sun), 4pm (Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs)
BOOK OF LIFE 3D (U)
10am (Fri/Sat/Sun), 2.10pm (Fri/Sat/Sun), 4.20pm (daily)
BOOK OF LIFE 2D (U)
noon (Fri/Sat/Sun)
DOLPHIN TALE 2 (U)
10am (Fri/Sat/Sun)
THE BOXTROLLS 2D (PG)
12.15pm (Sat/Sun)
KIDS’ CLUB
Fri-Weds 10.30am – How to Train Your Dragon 2 (PG)
SILVER SCREEN
Wed 11.30am – Fury (15)
** Denotes free list suspended
