Free Fire [Blu-ray]

From the moment the characters arrive in the confined space of the warehouse where all the action takes place, tension rises through barbed comments, posturing, impatience and insults, and finally breaks into a deadly extended gunbattle when Harry (Jack Reynor) recognises Stevo (Sam Riley) from an unsavoury incident involving his sister and Stevo takes the first bullet shot in anger, then an hour and a half later, it all comes to an end with a black screen and the sound of sirens and you haven't noticed the time go by. The characters are all distinct and engaging, cleverly defined through words and actions, and because they're all baddies really, I couldn't single out any of them for special disapproval or otherwise - and of course,they're brilliantly portrayed by the perfectly chosen ensemble cast. I have no idea how writers Ben Wheatley (also director) and Amy Jump managed to visualise, put into words, then put on the screen a battle in one setting, but they do it so successfully, it actually has a realistic feel to it behind the absurd, dark comedy. Not only is the place confined, but time is too, the adrenaline fuelled characters having to retaliate and respond without any thinking time, so you can imagine just how frantic and chaotic an incident like this would be. We laugh darkly when Martin (Babou Ceesay) appears to come back to life, and Stevo takes yet another bullet, but in reality, apparently, the successful single deadly shot at a moving target is rare. Alongside the moments of horror, there are plenty moments of fun, from the incongruity of John Denver's "Annie's Song" to the "Congratulations you've won...." phone call. No wonder Scorsese backed this one!

Serious giggle, but...........watch out for the twist at the end

Just watch it

An excellent action comedy from director Ben Wheatley; superficially this is a great and entertaining black comedy about an arms deal that goes wrong, resulting in an increasingly bizarre shoot-out; technically, a fine ensemble cast, brilliant action choreography, special effects and sharp, humorous dialogue make this an enjoyable movie to watch more than once.It's 70s American setting belies the fact that it's an entirely British made film shot in a disused factory in East Sussex.The standard UK DVD has a commentary, a 15-minute “Making of “ featurette and interviews with the director and actors Cillian Murphy and Michael Smiley; English subtitles are available if required.

Good premise that's nice and simple and leaves a lot of room to add in little bits, but fails to do so, very little actual character development and action is pretty badly blocked out so it's quite hard at most times to figure out where abouts characters are in relation to each other, which is a bit of a problem in a film that's all in one close quarters location. Script is relatively engaging though and the performances are really good, some good chemistry between characters but that chemistry is mostly wasted as it doesn't develop or amount to anything, still worth a watch though especially is your a cinephile.

I went into this film knowing very little about it, and I was very, very surprised.This is like nothing I've ever seen-It has laugh out loud moments, which can turn so quickly into heartbreaking ones, the intensity of the film all the way through, is a testament to the brilliant work of Ben Wheatley.Strongly recommend if you're looking for an action packed film that at some points makes you question what the hell is actually going on.

I did not expect that... did you?!With it's one long scene spanning the entire film, the alternative narrative was going to be either a hard hit or miss. 2009's Rage, made entirely of close-up interviews, also took this gambit. But what is interesting in both cases, is how it is not the risky narrative styles, but the context around them, that decides whether they work or don't. It didn't for Rage. It REALLY DID for Free Fire.The exposition is much subtler and blends in seamlessly with the goings on and conversations between characters, to the point that you start talking about things half way through that you didn't realise you had absorbed! The writers and actors all deserve a celebratory drink on the house for the realistic dialogue and characterisation brought to the performance. By the end they've made you forget that you've just watched a whole film about a single scene, as it's so immersive.What this film also does well, is include comedy in places where it feel welcome and then it settles in at home to stay for the entire showing. Throughout, there is a black comedy vibe that works so well, despite the fact that you're watching murders, in a Fargo-meets-slapstick style.You put it on for only the 10 minutes you have to kill and leave 90 minutes later a much more satisfied person.

got to admit i really enjoyed this, the characters were developed in the central story arch, as thats all there is, just a shoot out over 60 minutes, but i carex for each character as they were likeable , great performances for what is arguably a simple set up. Basic story centres around a gun buy gone wrong due to personal reasons and then a double cross that only leads to better shoot outs, great film simply put.