A gripping new heist thriller, Fuze, which had its cinematic release just weeks ago, is now available for streaming from home. The film stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Theo James, both of whom have been considered frontrunners for the role of the next James Bond. Directed by David Mackenzie, Fuze is packed with action as a World War II bomb is discovered on a building site in central London.
Plot and Premise
As police and the military coordinate a mass evacuation against a ticking clock, daring thieves use the chaos as a smokescreen for a master plan. What follows is a meticulously organized bank robbery of money and jewelry, blurring the lines between alliances and morality, and never short on twists and white-knuckle tension.
Cast and Release
Taylor-Johnson, 35, plays Major Will Tranter, while James, 41, plays Karalis. The film also features Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Sam Worthington. Fuze premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last September and had a cinema run this April. It is now available on Sky Cinema and NOW with subscriptions.
Critical Reception
The crime thriller has landed well, scoring a respectable 73% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and a similar 78% from audiences. Jeannette Catsoulis of the New York Times declares that Fuze 'hurtles along entertainingly and with no small amount of tension.' Randy Myers of the San Jose Mercury News praises Mackenzie for 'never taking the weight off the pedal,' imploring audiences to 'put the brain on mute and just enjoy.'
David Griffiths of Subculture Entertainment calls it 'a brilliant thriller that has one of the biggest twists in cinematic history,' while Keith Garlington compliments the plot for not 'lazily following the usual formula.' Audience feedback is mixed, with some noting 'shades of Guy Ritchie' but finding the story 'a little convoluted.' Others call it 'underrated' and 'intense from the start.'
Box Office and Streaming
Despite a modest box office performance, grossing $4.2 million worldwide against a $45 million budget, Fuze may find success on streaming ahead of its Blu-ray and DVD release in July. Taylor-Johnson, who was the frontrunner to succeed Daniel Craig as 007 before Callum Turner overtook him, praised the 'page-turning, intensely thrilling script.' He emphasized the film's authenticity, achieved by working with high-level ex-military experts, while balancing dramatic storytelling with creative license and gallows humor.
