David Ayer’s World War II action movie “Fury” tries to trick the audience members into thinking they’re watching an emotional drama. In showing off thrilling and exciting action, Ayer forgets to inject “Fury” with something it tries to preach: well-crafted, real characters.

“Fury” follows the members of a tank squadron in 1945 in the middle of Nazi Germany. Led by Brad Pitt as Sergeant “Wardaddy” Collier, the veteran crew welcomes Private Ellison (Logan Lerman), a typist-turned-tank assistant, as it moves deeper and deeper into more dangerous territory. Forced to adapt to tank combat, Ellison struggles with a new team, his morals and his ability to survive.

The setup is a basic plot for a war movie, but thanks to Ayer’s ability to direct, “Fury” stands out with its action. Between battles in tanks on land, and even a short but brilliant one in the air, the audience is floored by well-choreographed fighting. The thrills feel real and close, thanks to expert sound design and practical effects that, unsurprisingly, look real.

Ayer also refuses to shy away from the war’s brutality, as plenty often –– perhaps just a bit too much –– we see bodies blown up, faces shot off and soldiers crushed by tanks.

“Fury” could be called a great film if it treated itself as just an action film. But Ayer oversteps his boundaries and tries to reinvent the genre. Aside from Pitt and Lerman, none of the main crew are able to evoke empathy. Shia LaBeouf’s character is uneven, appearing to almost be two characters. Michael Peña is nothing more than a Hispanic stereotype, and Jon Bernthal is too abusive of Ellison to be anything better than “unlikeable.”

It’s not the actors’ faults, though. They all do their best with what they’re given. But Ayer’s script is unable to provide its characters with enough depth to actually be believable in their roles. It’d be a great film otherwise, but for the film Ayer tried to give us, “Fury” manages to only be decent.

_MOVE gives “Fury” 3 out of 5 stars._