Fury

'A heart- wrenching portrayal of the emotional, physical and mental struggle one would assume war would inflict upon those on the frontline.'

Fury is not necessarily the testosterone filled war epic one may be expecting, it may be viewed as rather lengthy and rather slow paced for anyone expecting a blood-spattering Nazi killing fest. Having said that, the violence is at times graphic and would fulfil most people's craving for a bit of war gore- particularly the opening scene of an agile, animalistic Pitt penetrating a Nazi’s skull with a knife. Along with flesh piercing bullet scenes aplenty.

The, blue eyed, golden locked and very much romanticised image of Brad Pitt seems a thing of the past. Similar to many of his more recent film ventures, he is a mature lead, which results in our focus being sturdily on his ability to take the lead of this film, and of his men, as this stern, resilient yet emotionally distraught ‘Wardaddy'.

Another surprise, and a pleasant one at that, was Shia LeBeouf’s desperately troubled, verse preaching character; Boyd ‘Bible’ Swan. LaBeouf proves well his acting talent is not simply limited to the humorous pre- adolescent- a role in which he has most certainly been restricted to in the past. Though one may argue he does not have a hugely significant role within the narrative, his constant emotional state clearly conveys the mental and physical trauma war can ultimately inflict upon an individual, whilst his constant recital of scripture exhibits the desperate clasp he has on his beliefs- even if his actions and what he has seen in these gruelling years wholly contradict these preached words of the Lord.

Some violence undoubtedly bothered me, and made me significantly jump, however I'm not a lover of violence and have no vampiric desire to see, or be exposed to blood- this of course my personal preference. 

The narrative however lacks any presence of oestrogen,the short but somewhat uncomfortable scenes involving two individuals of the opposite sex would be unnerving for many to watch. The scene very subtly touches upon the potential abuse of power that many may, could or would inflict upon those inferior- the victims of war.

One of the most significant roles of the film is held by the tank itself...within the claustrophobic constraints of the walls the audience is exposed to their 'home'- walls decorated with photos, trinkets from home and stashes of alcohol. However, we gradually see that even the walls, that block them from the ever- engulfing poison of war, cannot provide any solace from the horrors outside; or provide them with an emotional bridge to life before war. Within this tank the significance of their friendship, and bonds between human beings, contradicts the inhumanity beyond Fury's walls. 

We see this unimaginable struggle to adjust to the impending violence and horror war inevitably brings, very empathetically, through Logan Lerman's presence as the young protagonist.  His emotional journey from typist of '60 words per minute' to war hero is most certainly a struggle, and one that consumes you with fear and doubt of whether or not duty and bravery can truly overcome such incomprehensible despair.

Fury is very much a  heart- wrenching portrayal of the emotional, physical and mental struggle one would assume war would inflict upon those on the frontline, it is unequivocally less patriotic than one would expect from a war 'blockbuster', and seems like a more realistic portrayal of the damage that can be done, but also makes evident the bonds that can be made between men.

'Ideals are peaceful, history is violent'

Final Verdict: 4 out of 5