Preview: Free Fire (2016)

Boston in the 1970's. During a deal to buy guns, turns into a shootout when an altercation from the previous night resurfaces...

Director Ben Wheatley is a director who never makes the same type of film over and over. He's made horror films, dramas, thrillers and Sci-Fi. He's a director equally happy in any genre it would seem and with Free Fire, he can now add action comedy to the list.

The film, co-written by Wheately and Amy Jump, has a very simple story. The film takes place in a warehouse, and never leaves there once all involved enter. In some ways, as Wheatley himself has said, the film is essentially the final act of a longer film, but without needing the rest of the film to work. Everything we need to know is revealed early on as to the reason for the gun battle beginning, with whatever other details coming out during the shoutout.

As a result, the actual characters are very sketchy. For this type of story, we just get the basic details of them and that's it, but then that's all that's needed. But the script is often quite funny in parts as insults are fired out like the bullets are.

Of course, having such a terrific cast helps. Cillian Murphy, Brie Larson, Armie Hammer, Michael Smiley, Jack Reynor, Sam Reilly and best of all Sharlto Copley are all superb and you do get the feeling they are having as much fun on screen as the audience watching are getting.

It could have been easy for the film to drag a bit, as it is one long shootout, but Wheatley avoids this by first making the film a short on, around 90 minutes but also with the way he shoots the film. At times the camera moves along the ground as characters shoot at each other, He also, cleverly, adds confusion to where everyone is at various points in the film. At one point a character makes reference to not being sure who he is shooting at. This adds not only to the fun as they often shoot at people on their own side.

There is nothing here to dislike. The ending is a good one, the soundtrack is first rate (the use of John Denver is inspired at one point). It's funny, laugh out loud funny too, never dull and full of fun. While it might owe a debt to Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs, tonally I think the chaos, humour and action are closer to something like Deadpool. Certainly it's on a par with that film for sheer enjoyment.

I've been a fan of Ben Wheatley's work since seeing Kill List. A Field In England and High-Rise have just made me an even bigger fan. Free Fire may not be the biggest film Wheatley will ever make, but it shows as he has in other genres, he's comfortable making an action comedy. Is there any genre he can't tackle?

Free Fire (executive produced by Martin Scorsese no less!) gets it's actual release later this month.  I strongly suggest going to see it if you want a fun, entertaining night at the cinema.

I loved it.

Rating - 5/5