Fury

Release Date: Oct 17, 2014 
Runtime: 2 hr. 14 min. 
Director: David Ayer 
Cast: Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Michael Peña, Jon Bernthal.

Like battle wounds and scars, the bonds of brotherhood last a lifetime, as affirmed in "Fury," David Ayer's intimate study on warfare. Set during the culmination of WWII in the treacherous terrains of Germany, the film centers around a 2nd Armored Division led by Don 'Wardaddy' Collier. Pitt leads the crew of disparate individuals which consist of LaBeouf, Peña, Bernthal, and newbie recruit Lerman. Together they deliver the ammunition for the plot, but not without encountering some provisional casualties. Though each play their part as persuasively as the next, it takes awhile to warm up to their hard-edged personalities. Bernthal is easily the contentious of the bunch, while LaBeouf digs deep into passive aggression; in spite of his notorious descent into madness, his performance is notable if not surprisingly remarkable. In addition to Pitt who's a natural born leader, it's their dogged determination that keeps the plot moving forward. Ayer, as director, brings a rawness to the front – not holding back on carnage or turmoil. Granted, it's not the most violent film to be made, there's a palpable tension in each isolated battle. Where "Fury" excels is in the context of its name, when it's just the tank and its inhabitants amidst the chaos of combat. The intense final moments are heart-pounding to say the least, though not unforeseen in the spoils of war. With Ayer's résumé rapidly gaining cred, it should be interesting to see what he does next with DC's "Suicide Squad."

Rating: 3½ stars