Free Fire on the surface should’ve been a fun movie and admittedly it was for the first 40-minutes or so, but the remaining 45-minutes seemed to meander with a plot that doesn’t go anywhere and a twist that wasn’t all that great. Still, this isn’t a “bad” movie per se and probably worthy of a rental.
Free Fire
(2017)
Genre(s): Action, Thriller, Crime, Comedy
Lionsgate | R – 91 min. – $24.99 | July 18, 2017
Date Published: 07/05/2017 | Author: The Movieman
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THE MOVIE — 2.5/5 |
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Free Fire had a lot going for it: 1970s Boston setting, a hip cast, simple but fun premise, a Reservoir Dogs-like feeling and Martin Scorsese executive producing. And while the film does start off with all those things and sequences where the title is in full effect, that simplistic story begins to run awfully thin and can barely fill the already short 85-minute running time (sans credits). The plot revolves around two factions of an arms deal: The buyers — Chris (CILLIAN MURPHY), Frank (MICHAEL SMILEY), Steve-o (SAM RILEY), Bernie (ENZO CILENTI) and Justine (BRIE LARSON) — and the suppliers — Vernon (SHARLTO COPLEY), Harry (JACK REYNOR), Gordon (NOAH TAYLOR), and Martin (BABOU CEESAY) and in the middle is the intermediary, the all-too-suave and charming Ord (ARMIE HAMMER). Problems arise when Harry reveals that Steve-o had, the night before, violated Harry’s cousin. Words are exchanged, Steve-o gets his ass kicked by his own people but that’s not enough, Harry pulls a gun and shoots Steve-o setting off a course of events that would lead to numerous gunfire back and forth and each side tries to stay alive, as well as get a hold of the money. And… that’s really it. No real character development. Which is fine. And no real plot. Also fine. The issue I had is once the gunfire begins, the film loses its cool factor and it meanders until an ending that is at least somewhat satisfactory but hardly its saving grace. Unlike Reservoirs Dogs, which this film has been compared to, I really couldn’t care less for many of these characters, though Sharlto Copley always brings his A-game, Brie Larson holds her own opposite her male counterparts and Michael Smiley has some genuinely good scenes and doesn’t get lost among the bullets. Co-Written, with wife Amy Jump, and Directed by Ben Wheatley, Free Fire had plenty of promise and while there is fun to be had, and I did manage to chuckle at several moments, this talented cast doesn’t quite get used to their greatest potential though a few did stand out and while I didn’t fall in love with the film and got an average rating, it’s probably worthy of a rental. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 2.0/5 |
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This release comes with a matted slip cover and inside is a Digital HD redemption code. The features are on the limited side with an Audio Commentary with Co-Writer/Director Ben Wheatley & Actors Cillian Murphy and Jack Reynor; and The Making of Free Fire (15:58; HD) behind-the-scenes featurette with cast/crew interviews. Previews – Moonlight, American Honey, It Comes at Night, Swiss Army Man, Ex Machina |
VIDEO – 4.5/5 |
| Free Fire takes cover and shoots onto Blu-ray and is presented with a 1080p high-definition and a 2.40 widescreen aspect ratio. This is a bright looking picture showing off the 1970s-era clothing and even the drabber interiors of the warehouse look decent, while skin tones have a natural appearance. Detail is rather sharp throughout and there were no apparent instances of artifacting, aliasing, banding or other flaws. |
AUDIO – 4.25/5 |
| Well, not much to judge here, just thousands of bullets whipping and flying around is all. This DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, beyond the gunplay, showcases good dialogue even through the gunfire and there is some fine depth during those action scenes with the LFE modestly kicking in with the impact shots as well as an explosion. It’s not entirely reference quality work yet still sounds rather good. |
OVERALL – 3.0/5 |
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Overall, Free Fire on the surface should’ve been a fun movie and admittedly it was for the first 40-minutes or so, but the remaining 45-minutes seemed to meander with a plot that doesn’t go anywhere and a twist that wasn’t all that great. Still, this isn’t a “bad” movie per se and probably worthy of a rental. The Blu-ray released through Lionsgate offers great video, good audio and limited bonus features. |