A STRONG cast goes a long way. But a strong cast that has bonded goes even further.
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Brad Pitt leads an impressive cast in World War II film Fury, which follows a ficitional army tank crew through the closing stages of WWII as it works through Germany elminating the last of the resisting and desperate Nazi soldiers.
Pitt plays a staff sergeant nicknamed Wardaddy. He has been leading his crew since the North African Campaign in 1940.
When his assitant tank driver is killed during a mission, a young army private named Norman is sent to replace him.
Norman, played by up-and-coming star, Logan Lerman is a clerical officer who has never seen the inside of a tank, has never fought in a campaign and is hesitant about killing people.
Despite inexperience, contrasting personalities and seemingly small odds of victory the crew presses on.
Their tank (named Fury) isn’t as developed or techincal as the Germans and regularly outgunned.
Pitt plays a watered down version of his character in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglorius Basterds. Both are Nazi killers though Wardaddy has a certain gentlemanly charm and decorum about him compared to Inglorius Basterds’ Raines.
Lerman is excellent as the nervous Norman and contiues his streak of impressive turns in Hollywood films.
The young actor has also starred in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, the Percy Jackson series and 3:10 to Yuma.
Also impressive in Fury is the controversial Shia LeBeouf.
Le Beouf who has had altercations with police this year continues to prove his worth on screen as a religious tank technician.
Director David Ayer has worked hard to get impressive performances from his cast to match the engaging and somewhat confronting cinematography.
He sent his actors into a boot camp run by Navy Seals, encouraged cast to insult and physically fight one another and forced them to spend prolonged periods of time in the tank to encouraged bonding (the cast would eat and sleep in the tank).
But it seems worthwhile for this fictional WWII story.
Fury gives an accurate look at WWII conditions and is engaging from the start. Coupled with a combination of interesting (if not wholly likeable) characters, it is worth a look.
Fury (MA15+) is now showing at Bendigo Cinemas. For session details see page 3 of the Bendigo Advertiser.
Follow film review Chris Pedler on Twitter @FilmNerdChris