Free Fire

In 1970s Boston a group of IRA gunrunners are planning to buy several cases of automatic rifles. The deal has been arranged and buys and sellers come together in a disused factory. Tensions are high and it isn't helped by the fact that the rifles aren't of the type expected. Things only get worse when it emerges that one member of each side had got into a fight the night before... it soon resumes and it is only a matter of time before the bullets begin to fly. Members of both sides take hits... then a third party starts shooting at both sides!

This film gets off to a good start as we are introduced to the various characters and watch their deal get underway. This gently raises the tension and provides a good number of laughs. Then the action gets started because of something relatively minor and for the rest of the film the tension is very high. Characters crawl about trying to avoid the flying bullets and just about everybody gets injured. The arrival of the 'third party shooters' adds a sense of mystery as viewers and characters alike wonder who they are working for. Most films of this type feature lots of characters who die as soon as they are shot but here just about everybody gets injured, to the extent that they can barely stand, but few die until we reach the conclusion. Some of these deaths are quite unpleasant. The cast is impressive; most obviously Sharlto Copley as arms seller Vernon; Brie Larson as go-between Justine; Armie Hammer as Ord and Cillian Murphy as IRA man Chris. Overall I'd say this won't be for everybody but I rather enjoyed it.