Who does not love a good heist movie? The planning, the gathering of the team, the deceit and betrayals, and the meticulously laid plans falling to the “best-laid plans” syndrome—Fuze delivers all of this and more, with double and triple crosses galore.
David Mackenzie’s explosive thriller keeps you guessing till the end, moving like greased lightning on its genre tracks.
The Plot: A WWII Bomb and a Bank Heist
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening Incident | Discovery of an unexploded WWII bomb in London |
| Police Response | Led by Chief Superintendent Zuzana (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) |
| Bomb Disposal | Major Will Tranter (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) tasked with defusing |
| Parallel Action | A bank robbery underway by Karalis (Theo James), X (Sam Worthington), Y, Z |
Fuze opens with the discovery of an unexploded WWII bomb in London, causing the police to evacuate the site. The army is called in, and Major Will Tranter (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) is tasked with defusing the bomb.
Elsewhere, a robbery is underway with Karalis (Theo James), X (Sam Worthington), and others drilling a massive hole into the wall of a bank.
The Mystery Unfolds: Questions That Drive the Plot
| Question |
|---|
| Why does Tranter shut down Corporal Martin? |
| Why are the bank robbers not surprised at the empty streets? |
| Is Karalis playing a double game? |
| Who is the sniper who comes to the rescue? |
| What is Rahim’s part in the unfolding events? |
As the action unfolds in real time, we are shown pieces of the picture. Like Zuzana, the questions running in her head are running in ours too.
What Works: Twists, Performances, and Craft
| Aspect | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Script (Ben Hopkins) | Plays scrupulously fair; same clues and insights as the protagonist |
| Aaron Taylor-Johnson | Embodies Tranter’s opacity (PTSD or something else) |
| Theo James | All charm and jokes until he isn’t |
| Gugu Mbatha-Raw | Radiates competence and intelligence |
| Sam Worthington | May or may not fall prey to the casting-choice rule |
| Cinematography (Giles Nuttgens) | Lived-in London (cool blues/browns); crisp greens for countryside |
| Editing (Matt Mayer) | Keeps the many-stranded plot straight |
Written by Ben Hopkins, Fuze plays scrupulously fair with us, presenting the same clues and insights as Zuzana. We are equally thrilled as we uncover the many layers of the conspiracy, right back to its beginning.
The Verdict
Fuze moves like greased lightning on its genre tracks, offering thrills and chills at every unexpected turn. It has the distinction of being even more fun once it is over, when you find yourself replaying the story to pin down the exact moment things first began to feel rotten.
