FREE FIRE

This British action comedy is one of the funniest yet most confronting and violent films to surface in recent years.

Set in Boston in the late 1970’s, the basic plot concerns two Irishmen who plan on selling weapons to a gang in a deserted warehouse. A simple provocation transpires and a full-on shootout eventuates where everyone battles for the money until only the last man standing remains.

Martin Scorsese is credited as an executive producer and Academy award winning Brie Larson (Room) demonstrates her comedic prowess in the starring role as an intermediary. Australia’s Noah Taylor also has a small but pivotal role.

Gritty and fast paced with a wealth of skilfully choreographed gunfire action sequences and a high body count, this film possibly contains the longest shootout sequence ever filmed for a motion picture.

Initially it’s difficult to be affected by the exorbitant brutality as the humorous one-liners and general comic undertones downplay the severity. Only when the comic flavouring subsides in the horrifying finale will moviegoers perceive the extremity of violence.

The somewhat bizarre inclusion of John Denver’s tranquil melodies in the finale is a cleverly devised and effective musical contrast to the outlandish savagery which culminates.

★★★ 1/2

Reviewed by Mark Morellini.