Gritty war-torn realism, on-the-edge-of-your-seat stuff.

Rating: 8/10 (8 November 2014)

The number of war-era films littering cinemas nowadays is rising. Many have failed to reach the same level of epic proportions as some blockbusters - Saving Private Ryan, The Great Escape, Schindler's List - and this go at it almost makes it there. Almost.
This story takes place in 1945 Nazi Germany, centred on one tank's crew and their journey securing a path through the battle-torn countryside, village by village. Seeing the peaceful German countryside shattered by war and littered with dead bodies really makes for some hard-hitting viewing, really giving you a real graphic view of how it must have been back then, albeit given a little Hollywood treatment.
All cast in the five-man crew of the Sherman tank 'Fury' gel together brilliantly, with Brad Pitt showing a convincing portrayal as battle-hardened commander Wardaddy. Logan Lerman also stars as young newbie Norman, who provides a little clear conscience amongst the rest of the group. There's a welcome break in action with these two midway through, that shows a lighter side to the characters instead of the sombreness surrounding it. Be on the watch out for Shia LaBeouf, who seems to be constantly teary-eyed.
The battles here are powerful, shocking and thrilling and worryingly authentic. You feel every moment that they are fighting and with the help of great in-tank camera-work, as though you are in there along with them. With a surprisingly good climactic battle that ends the movie on a solemn note, which is happy, or sad, depending on how you perceive it.