Will this Brad Pitt film bring down the house, or will it tank at the box-office?
When a tank Sargent loses his best gunner he’s given a young soldier who’s never killed or even stepped foot in a tank. When they must defend an important position the team struggle to get over their differences and stay alive.
World War II is common ground for Hollywood but its specific focus on tanks makes this a little more out of the ordinary. This angle provides some intriguing action scenes that use tank tactics to provide thoroughly interesting and engaging moments well away from the conventional action scene shoot ’em up. What’s more the film provides excruciating realism in its action showing extreme violence in an honest and unforgiving way. Bodies are squeezed and popped while limbs are split. This isn’t for the faint hearted.
Upcoming star Logan Lerman shows off his gritty side here and depicts the ideals of men in the midst of war. His characters mind set throughout this time raises a lot of unanswered questions about a war mentality that is interesting but Lerman’s acting isn’t sensational past functioning for the narrative. Brad Pitt, the all round American hero, plays exactly that: a patriotic tank sergeant who boosts his units moral even when his is down. Pitt has become a victim of his American action hero success and its hard to see past his previous characters and own persona, especially when he takes his top off for no great reason.
The supporting cast do better though. Shia Lebeouf’s off screen antics have been well documented over the last year but his acting in Fury is a real victory. He’s impressive as the religious but quiet second in command and he’s finally playing a character that isn’t the youngest in the group; it suits him. Jon Berthnal, previously of The Walking Dead fame, is also fantastic as a simpler man than the others. His bashful interactions with Norman and his own understanding of war itself are enigmatic but nonetheless fascinating. He could easily have stolen the spotlight altogether if his character had less bullying and more empathy provided by the screenplay.
Fury delivers on realistic action but has been let down by its main characters and actors. This isn’t another classic American war movie but it’s an interesting perspective on 1945 Germany if nothing else.
Author -Matt, Cardiff Store
