Fury

****
UK Release Date: October 22nd 2014

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.

Director: David Ayer (Sabotage, End of Watch)

Starring: Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Michael Pena, Jon Bernthal

War films are few and far between these days. Clint Eastwood's double entry Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima and this year's Lone Survivor are the ones worth mentioning that really stand out. Fury lives up to the great ones that'll immediately cross your mind. It's short in size and locations are limited but the effects are no less horrifying.

The message it shows us is very clear. No matter where the quintet go, every town, field and household has been effected by war. Disease is everywhere, and death is just as close. We can almost smell it. Just like them we're plunged in to very uncomfortable situations. 

The tank we come to know as Fury is characterised just as much as its owners. Slowly but surely it makes its move, outnumbered and outgunned, into enemy territory. Wardaddy (Pitt), the leader of the crew, relies on Fury with his life. Inside or out, there's no escaping the inevitable. It may be their home, butit's a claustrophobic one at that.

Alongside Wardaddy is 'Bible' (LaBeouf), 'Gordo' (Pena) and 'Coon-Ass (Bernthal). Norman (Lerman) joins them not through choice, but through a fatality. He's the newest member of their team, and the most rewarding. It's hands down one of Brad Pitt's best performances since Seven, but it doesn't stop the focus and attention surrounding Lerman. Norman proves to be the emotional attachment we need. We're just as new to war as he is. An incredibly intense moment sees Wardaddy forcing Norman to make his first kill 'He kills you or you kill him. It's simple math. You or him: pick.' he says. The truth hits home.