Time: 96 Minutes
Age Rating: R16 – Violence & offensive language
Cast:
Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Major Will Tranter
Theo James as Giorgos “George” Karalis
Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Chief Superintendent Zuzana Greenfield
Sam Worthington as “X”
Director: David Mackenzie

I was somewhat curious about Fuze as it was a thriller from David Mackenzie, who previously directed Hell or High Water and Outlaw King, and stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Sam Worthington. At the same time, it looked like a generic straight to streaming action thriller. It wasn’t that good, but I somewhat enjoyed it.

Fuze is a generic and standard crime and heist thriller that is serviceable enough across its 90 minute runtime. The movie starts off on a good note, as it begins with a bomb threat coinciding with a heist. The plot isn’t really that clear and it could be surprisingly convoluted. While there’s lots of twists and reveals, I wasn’t that invested in what was happening. It’s a movie focussed primarily on the thrills, and lacks character development or any kind of depth. It’s not particularly engaging but the pace keeps everything constantly moving at least. The third act is anticlimactic, and its final 10 minutes feels so out of place that it almost seemed like it came from a completely different movie.

Fuze has a good cast, mainly with the aforementioned Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Sam Worthington, all who deliver on their parts, even if they don’t really have anything substantial to work with.

David Mackenzie’s direction is good, competent at the very least. Filmmaking wise, it has the makings of a suspenseful thriller, with efficient editing and a especially tension raising score from Tony Doogan.

Fuze is a generic, disjointed, and above average crime thriller, elevated by its solid direction and good cast.