Ben Wheatley blends dark comedy and thriller to deliver a wickedly fun 1970s inspired shootout set within the confines of a dilapidated warehouse in Boston. The bullet bonanza is a result of an arms deal turned sour, with the likes of Cillian Murphy, Sharlto Copley and Armie Hammer along for the ride, each one determined to walk away with their lives and a briefcase full of money. The script is peppered with quips – which in many cases have a more consistent hit rate than the shots fired – that keeps the pace in check. Copley is undoubtedly the stand-out; his South African leader more concerned about dirt infection than blood loss. Hammer, Murphy and Brie Larson also earn the dues, the latter stepping up her efforts as the action advances. In fact, there’s room for the whole cast to breath, which can predominantly be attributed to the co-writers Wheatley and Amy Jump’s interest in characters quirks. It’s a film that never ceases to electrify, and ends exactly before fatigue sets in.
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