FURY(2014) REVIEW

While many cinephiles may be tempted to draw parallels between the epic WWII saga "Fury" and Quentin Tarantino's audacious "Inglourious Basterds," starring Brad Pitt as a grizzled Army man with a penchant for Nazi-hunting, the truth is closer to a classic guys-on-a-mission adventure, sprinkled liberally with gruesome bloodshed reminiscent of a horror movie marathon—minus the popcorn. Think "The Dirty Dozen" meets "Night of the Living Dead," with tanks instead of zombies.

Picture this: Brad Pitt, aka Sgt. Don "Wardaddy" Collier, leading his ragtag crew of misfits through the German countryside, dodging bullets and dodgy mechanics, all while trying to outsmart the Nazis and stay alive long enough to see Berlin. Sounds like a typical day at the office, right?

Meet the crew: there's Bible (played by Shia LaBeouf), the gunner with a religious streak longer than the Mississippi River; Gordo (Michael Peña), the lead driver with a need for speed; and Coon-Ass (Jon Berenthal), the mechanic with a moral compass as wonky as a politician's promises. Oh, and let's not forget Norman Ellison (Logan Lerman), the fresh-faced newbie who couldn't hit the broad side of a barn if it slapped him in the face.

From Norman's stomach-churning initiation to his steamy rendezvous with a couple of German frauleins (because why not?), "Fury" is a rollercoaster ride of laughs, tears, and more explosions than a Fourth of July fireworks display. But when their tank breaks down and they find themselves facing off against 300 troops armed to the teeth, things go from bad to worse faster than you can say "sauerkraut."

Director David Ayer, known for gritty cop dramas and the occasional Schwarzenegger vehicle, pulls out all the stops in "Fury," delivering heart-pounding action sequences and enough blood, sweat, and tears to fill a swimming pool. Unfortunately, where the film falls short is in the storytelling department—less substance than a tofu burger at a barbecue.

Sure, Brad Pitt is as solid as ever, but his performance feels like déjà vu of his turn as Aldo Raine in "Inglourious Basterds." LaBeouf's attempt at gritty realism with darkened teeth and a dodgy mustache is more comical than menacing, but hey, at least he's trying.

In the end, "Fury" isn't a bad movie—it's just as necessary as a screen door on a submarine. While WWII buffs might find it worth a watch, those with weaker stomachs might want to steer clear of the gallons of gore on display. With a little less focus on explosions and a bit more attention to story and character, Ayer could have truly done "Fury" justice instead of serving up just another war potboiler.

As the Allies gear up for their final showdown in the European theater, Don Collier and his crew find themselves in the fight of their lives against the enemy. Let the battle begin—may the best tank win!