Movie Review
I had wanted to watch this film for a while but there were many reasons for putting it off…
One reason being, “Ugh, another WWII movie where Americans rush in to save the day!” You know, revisionist’s history and all that. But, Mr. Shanannigans and I were at a loose end and nothing else looked good on Netflix, so we decided to give it a try.
Fury (2014)
1945, in World War II Germany, the tough Sergeant Don ‘Wardaddy’ Collier commands a tank and survives a German attack with his veteran crew composed of Boyd ‘Bible’ Swan, Trini ‘Gordo’ Garcia and Grady ‘Coon-Ass’ Travis. He receives a rookie soldier Norman Ellison as the substitute for his deceased gunner and he tries to harden the youth along the way.
Starring: Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, and Logan Lerman
Director: David Ayer
Rating/ Runtime: R- 2hr 14
Movie Trailer
My Thoughts…
As I mentioned, I had reservations about watching yet another WWII movie. The other reason, and the most important is that my father-in-law was a blameless German child, forced to suffer for a myriad of reasons during the War and my husband and I really despise films that glorify the war in any kind of way. But, we both really like Brad Pitt and decided to give it a chance.
Fury starts off a bit slow, but soon picks up and delivers a fairly accurate portrayal of the time period after D-Day when Hitler and his regime had fallen but had not quite stopped fighting. The horrific time period where the Nazis forced children into battle under pain of death. Fury offers a horrific depiction and it is gut-wrenching. (Warning: Fury is not for the faint of heart.) It is one of the rare films that show some of the plight that innocent Germans had to endure, and according to Hubby, who studied history in University and from what little his father has shared, it is disturbingly accurate.
There is still a hint of the “Merica, fuck ya!” mentality, but only slightly and the many Canadian, French , English etc… whose lives were lost during battle were mentioned as well. Not enough in this viewer’s opinion, but at least the movie doesn’t depict American allies as the only country who helped defeat Hitler.
Brad Pitt was excellent and I very much enjoyed Logan Lerman‘s performance. I didn’t care for Jon Bernthal (AKA Shane from The Walking Dead) but the rest of the cast made up for it. Fury being a war movie, was graphic and violent but not as gratuitous as some. Just enough to evoke disgust, abhorrence and empathy.
I enjoyed the film and I would recommend Fury to people who appreciate world history and aren’t necessarily looking for just a blow’em up movie. FYI, I’m not anti-American, just the glorification of war.
Reads & Reels 
I’d been wanting to watch this movie for a while now, mainly because of Brad Pitt and Logan Lerman, but also because I usually enjoy WWII themes (and History in general).
Though I’m not sure I can stomach it now… We’ll see. Great review! 🙂
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Thanks. Not going to lie, there are some pretty graphic deaths but it is very good.
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Depictions of violence are something that can bother me too. I’m not one to say it should never be depicted (and it can be done artistically) but there is a responsibility when depicting violence to a) not trivialize it and b) be aware of your audience and the message you’re conveying. Your line – “Just enough to evoke disgust, abhorrence and empathy. ” – is a wonderful way to approach it. I’ve never thought of it in those exact words but I think that’s a good barometer for judging how a film handles violence.
I will probably be quoting you in casual conversations with friends and family about movies now!
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I’m flattered 🤓 but yes, I have never been a fan of gratuitous violence or nudity.
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Yep, I’m with you. If it serves an artistic purpose or if there is a point to it, okay. Let’s talk about it. That can be very, very powerful. But just to secure a rating or to shock, titillate, or entertain? No thank you. Our world is twisted enough as it is. We don’t need to add gratuitous violence or nudity to the list – especially for “entertainment’s sake.”
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Agreed!
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I watched this a few weeks ago having held off for very similar reasons. I completely agree with your review. It surprised me massively.
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I think because it came out around the same time as “Inglorious Bastards” I was thinking it would be similar. Glad I was wrong lol.
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Nice! I was on the fence as well. I am just glad the movie is worth a watch!
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Thanks. Yes it is definitely worth a watch.
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Good. I like period movies and I generally (generally mind you) like Brad Pitt. Though I don’t like that he cheated on Angelina. Though I know that shouldn’t matter! 😂😂😂
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Lol! Well he cheated on Jennifer Aniston too so as the old adage says…
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I know. She should have known. I was totally Team Jen and then after awhile it just seemed like bc he wanted kids and she didn’t, maybe Angie was a better pick for him? (I know, I know WAY TOO MUCH about this, lol). But once a cheater, always a cheater. Especially if you cheat with the FREAKIN nanny of all people. Umm, you’re Brad Pitt. Couldn’t you cheat with anyone? And really, to me there aren’t better looking women out there. But you’re right. The adage makes sense.
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I enjoyed this film when I watched it, too! I feel you though, on the whole WWII American’s swooping in and kicking butt lol, it’s too overdone and self centred! But like you said, it wasn’t so prevalent in this movie.
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