Free
Fire
(2017/Lionsgate Blu-ray)
Picture:
B+ Sound: B+ Extras: C+ Film: B
Ben
Wheatley's new action/thriller Free
Fire
(2017) lands on Blu-ray disc and is a surprisingly refreshing thrill
ride from start to finish that really surprised me. Featuring a
great cast which includes Sharlto Copley (District
9),
Brie Larson (Kong:
Skull Island),
Enzo Cilenti, Sam Riley, Michael Smiley, and Cillian Murphy
(Inception).
The film was also notably executive produced by Martin Scorsese.
Free
Fire
is in some ways comparable to Tarantino's Reservoir
Dogs,
as this shoot-em-up takes place primarily in one location with
minimal characters. Starting a bit slow at first, the film really
picks up halfway through, with admittedly one of the best third acts
and endings I've seen in any action film this year. One effect in
particular that involves Copley looked so realistic, I had to rewind
and look at it again (you'll know it when you see it). If you like
bloody R-rated gun-welding thrillers, then this is one you will need
to check out!
Set
in 1970s Boston, the film centers on Justine (Larson), a mysterious
American businesswoman and a motley crew which includes her
wise-cracking bearded associate Ord (Hammer), arrange a black-market
weapons deal in a deserted warehouse. The deal goes down with IRA
arms buyer Chris (Murphy) and a shifty South African gunrunner Vernon
(Copley) and his men. What starts as a polite-if-uneasy exchange
soon goes south. Bullets fly and everyone, even if those innocent
and just along for the ride, find themselves in mortal danger. Who
will be able to get out of this bullet storm alive? And away with the
money?
Presented
in 1080p high definition with a widescreen aspect ratio of 2.39:1 and
a DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) lossless 5.1 mix, the presentation looks
nice and culminates into an enjoyable home theater experience. The
film is very dark, dirty, and restricted to limited confines, so it's
pretty stunning how cinematic and well it all turned out especially
since it was shot using the digital format. I would love to see this
on 4K UHD, because they are so many details in the frame, from rubble
to bullet holes on the wall, that could all be exposed even better in
higher definition. Still, for the format, the film looks pretty good
on Blu-ray disc.
Digital
Copy is also included, but we get no DVD.
Special
Features...
Audio
Commentary with Co-Writer/Director Ben Wheatley
"The
Making of Free Fire" featurette
Not
afraid to get bloody and adult when needed, Free
Fire
is a fun film for fans of offbeat action and a pleasant surprise
after its initial lukewarm box office reception.
-
James Lockhart
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/
