The original Mad Max films are considered modern classics in the action genre. Charting the journey of the "Road Warrior," Max Rockatansky, in a post-apocalyptic Australia, it has been 30 years since the release of the third in the trilogy, Beyond Thunderdome. This continuation to the franchise has been in the works since that 1985 release, initially with original Max Mel Gibson to star in 2001. This was prevented, however, through all sorts of writing, production and cast issues. The film had been in development purgatory for 25 years and it was beginning to seem unlikely that it would ever be released. But that time has finally come, with Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron srarring in "Mad Max: Fury Road."
The character of Max has always been quiet and reserved, and Hardy chooses to replicate this personality in the new movie. Other secondary characters do have more lines than the titular character. While it is arguable whether or not Hardy is a better actor than Mel Gibson, which is a matter of opinion. However, it is undeniable that he is able to perform his own stunts and action scenes where appropriate without any problems. Whether or not this movie should have been called "Mad Max" is another question entirely. It should have been called "Furiosa." It's Charlize Theron's character of Imperator Furiosa who seems like the more main character in the film. It is much easier to connect emotionally with her character based on her mission to help free those under the control of the villainous Immortan Joe (played by Hugh Keays-Byrne, who also played the villain Toecutter in the very first movie). Theron also performs admirably in the action sequences herself. The secondary cast of the movie is also treated well, and in particular Nicolas Hoult's character of the War Boy Nux, who goes through his own story and emotional arc over the course of the movie. While I can praise the movie itself and the writing throughout the entirety of the review, it is impossible to ignore a few cliched elements of the film: the opening news reports, a certain character's redemption story and even characters dropping to their knees and screaming in times of emotional distress. Although small gripes, and though they do not hold the movie back from greatness, it is hard for them not to feel familiar considering how much they have been used since 1985.
The story of the movie revolves around the efforts of Furiosa to rescue a group of Immortan Joe's captives and take them to the Green Place, where she was raised. Max is simply caught up in the middle of the action, and, while initially unwilling to help, eventually joins Furiosa's war against Joe and his brothers, the Bullet Farmer and the leader of Gas Town. Throughout the movie, director George Miller finds enough time to build the mythology of the world of Mad Max. The very fact that whole towns exist to find fuel and ammunition, along with these and water being used as currency, emphasises the broken state of this world and the struggles of the people. The set design of the weapons and vehicles also displays this, with all of them being put together with various pieces of scrap, junk and basic car parts. Miller is making clear that this is a fully populated and interesting world that still has a story to tell should more Mad Max movies be made (something already confirmed by Miller himself, with the working title being "Mad Max: The Wasteland").
However, as an action movie, a visual and action packed masterpiece would be what the majority of people would be going to see Fury Road to watch. Those people can sleep soundly knowing that the claims of many other critics that this is one of the "best action films ever made" are well justified. The colours and visual effects that have been injected into this movie are fantastic and the team behind them well and truly deserve high praise. However, the heavy use of practical effects also adds to the impact of the film. Unlike the majority of movies nowadays, an explosion is actually an explosion. Yes, that is actually Tom Hardy holding on to the side of a car in motion. When a car flips over, the prop built for the film was most likely seriously damaged in the process. Through these, the team behind Fury Road is able to enhance the experience of moviegoers to a level that simply cannot be appreciated in the frequent visual effect overhauls of the modern Hollywood. Stunt doubles also get time to shine in the various fight sequences of Fury Road, which start almost immediately. The movie wastes no time in quickly introducing the character of Max, before he is immediately chased and a fight scene ensues. The exciting and gripping opening sets the tone for the rest of the film and told me that my worries over the film were misplaced.
Nobody was quite sure what to make of this movie, 35 years after the release of the original classic. Original director George Miller, however, has managed to divert all expectations. With an excellent cast that rivals Mel Gibson as the titular character, while offering a visual and adrenaline fuelled action sequences, "Mad Max: Fury Road" has brought Max Rockatansky thundering back into the 21st century.
Pros
- Incredible action sequences
- Charlize Theron as Furiosa and Tom Hardy as Max
- Fantastic world-building
- Compelling story
- A visual spectacle
Cons
- Some cliched plot points
Original Release Date: May 7th, 2015
Starring: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Zoe Kravitz, Riley Keough
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