Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga -The Mad Max franchise has always been a divisive one—you either revel in its high-octane chaos or you find yourself bewildered by its post-apocalyptic madness.
I fall into the latter camp. Despite my attempts to appreciate its unique flair, I struggle to connect with a world where, amid the collapse of civilization, survival hinges not on community and compassion but on frenetic motorbike chases, extravagant guitar solos, and relentless bloodshed over dwindling resources.
The setting is bleak: a barren desert, scarce supplies, and humanity on the brink. Yet, instead of banding together to rediscover humanity and build relationships, the inhabitants of this world seem more interested in vehicular carnage and the pursuit of oil.
This grim portrayal of human nature, where power-hungry leaders hoard the remaining wealth and lord over the desperate, feels all too familiar and disheartening.
I often find myself wanting to shout at the screen, “Chill out!” The relentless intensity is exhausting.
However, setting aside my personal reservations, there’s no denying the film’s merits. Isolated from the broader franchise, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is a powerhouse of action. Chris Hemsworth delivers a flawless performance, embodying his character with a perfect blend of menace and charisma. Anya Taylor-Joy, cast as Furiosa, is a revelation, bringing depth and grit to her role.
The action sequences are nothing short of spectacular, with a body count that might give John Wick a run for his money.
These scenes are meticulously crafted, offering a relentless thrill ride that will undoubtedly satisfy fans of high-stakes, visceral cinema.
Still, I remain perplexed by the franchise’s signature elements—the masks, the face paint, the roaring guitars, and the over-the-top characters roaming the wasteland. These elements, while iconic, feel more like caricatures than credible denizens of a dying world.
In the end, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is a testament to the franchise’s enduring appeal for its fans. For those who embrace its wild, anarchic spirit, this film is likely a triumph. For others, like myself, it remains an enigma—a frenetic spectacle that’s as baffling as it is brilliant.
About the Movie
Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth star in Academy Award-winning mastermind George Miller’s “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga”, the much-anticipated return to the iconic dystopian world he created more than 30 years ago with the seminal “Mad Max” films.
Miller now turns the page again with an all-new original, standalone action adventure that will reveal the origins of the powerhouse character from the multiple Oscar-winning global smash “Mad Max: Fury Road.”
The new feature from Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures is produced by Miller and his longtime partner, Oscar-nominated producer Doug Mitchell (“Mad Max: Fury Road”, “Babe”), under their Australian-based Kennedy Miller Mitchell banner.
As the world fell, young Furiosa is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into the hands of a great Biker Horde led by the Warlord Dementus.
Sweeping through the Wasteland, they come across the Citadel presided over by The Immortan Joe. While the two Tyrants war for dominance, Furiosa must survive many trials as she puts together the means to find her way home.
Taylor-Joy stars in the title role, and along with Hemsworth, the film also stars Alyla Browne and Tom Burke.
Miller penned the script with “Mad Max: Fury Road” co-writer Nico Lathouris. Miller’s behind-the-scenes creative team includes first assistant director PJ Voeten and second unit director and stunt coordinator Guy Norris, director of photography Simon Duggan (“Hacksaw Ridge”, “The Great Gatsby”), composer Tom Holkenborg, sound designer Robert Mackenzie, editor Eliot Knapman, visual effects supervisor Andrew Jackson and colorist Eric Whipp.
The team also includes other longtime collaborators: production designer Colin Gibson, editor Margaret Sixel, sound mixer Ben Osmo, costume designer Jenny Beavan and makeup designer Lesley Vanderwalt, each of whom won an Oscar for their work on “Mad Max: Fury Road”.
Warner Bros. Pictures Presents, in Association with Village Roadshow Pictures, A Kennedy Miller Mitchell Production, A George Miller Film, “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga”. The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, and in Australian cinemas on May 23, 2024.
Director: George Miller
Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Alyla Browne and Tom Burke
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga releases in cinemas from 23 May, 2024.
Link to Universal Pictures HERE
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
TV Central Movie Previews HERE
Rating
Aaron: 7 / 10 “action galore – more of what you expect from Mad Max”
Zak: 5 / 10 “not a movie I would watch again – don’t get the hype”
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Cinema Experience:
Big crowd due to the anticipation of the movie. The atmosphere and seating were great. As mentioned previously, in my view, Hoyts have the worst customer service experience. Dealing with their head office is a nightmare – they just don’t respond.
