I remember in 1979 when director/writer George Miller’s Mad Max film was released. It became one of my favorite films in this genre and stars Mel Gibson. Synopsis: In a self-destructing world, a vengeful Australian policeman sets out to stop a violent motorcycle gang. Two years later, Mel Gibson returns to star in Mad Max 2: Road Warrior. Synopsis: In the post-apocalyptic Australian wasteland, a cynical drifter agrees to help a small, gasoline-rich community get rid of a horde of bandits. Subsequently, Gibson returned to star in Mad Max Beyond Thunderstorm (1985). It was not until 2015 that Miller returned with Mad Max: Fury Road starring Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, and Nicholas Hoult. Synopsis: In a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a woman rebels against a tyrannical ruler in search for her homeland with the aid of a group of female prisoners, a psychotic worshiper and a drifter named Max.
Now that Miller returns in 2024 with Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, starring Anya Taylor -Joy and Chris Hemsworth, this action, adventure, Sci-Fi film is worth preparing for. If you cannot or don’t have time to catch up on all the Mad Max films, that will be ok. My recommendation if you are just joining in on the saga is to view Mad Max: Fury Road to become more acquainted with the role Charlize Theron portrayed, that of Imperator Furiosa.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is directed by Miller with a script he co-wrote with Nick Lathouris. Synopsis: The origin story of renegade warrior Furiosa before her encounter and team up with Mad Max.
For anyone who does not have knowledge of these characters, a young Furiosa (Alyla Browne) is kidnapped from her territory known as the Green Place. The kidnappers are minions who report to Biker Warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth, fantastic) of the Wasteland territory. Taking Furiosa is part of their “proof” that there is a secret “land of abundance” that they can take over. Furiosa’s mother (Charlee Fraser) is in pursuit of saving her daughter and helping keep their homeland secret. Dementus shows how cruel he and his warriors are and Furiosa does all that is needed to survive. Vengeance is on her mind. These scenes are full of action and the audience can anticipate what is to come until the end.
Anya Taylor-Joy excels as Furiosa and often without speaking, her eyes reveal the rage within her. The audience views how Furiosa matures from the little girl, full of intelligence, and ability to learn all that is needed to make her moves without being noted. Skilled and quick, she can hold her own in all the action sequences. Simon Duggan’s cinematography of the landscape and the close-up shots keep the audience engaged and eyes glued to the IMAX screen (as I saw it). There is not a moment to miss. Although there is a longer runtime (148 minutes) than other films, I don’t feel it is over the top, or boring, and never needed to check my watch.
The casting of Hemsworth and Taylor – Joy is perfect and they portray their respective characters with their awesome talent. There is no lack of violence in the story and viewers should be prepared for it.
The film’s score is composed by Tom Holkenborg (Mad Max: Fury Road, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire) and enhances the audience to immerse into so much of the fight/other action scenes.
Furiosa’s revenge has very few quite moments. The action sequences are anything but that. Furiosa does what she decides needs to be done, asking no one for input on how Dementus will pay for his cruelty.
The film has a theatrical release on Friday, May 24th, and is fantastic on the IMAX screen I viewed it on.
Source: Warner Bros. Pictures, IMDb
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