Movie Review: Mad Max: Fury Road

Possible spoilers ahead!!

“Mad Max: Fury Road” is the long-awaited return to the post-apocalyptic world created by writer/director George Miller nearly four decades ago. In Fury Road, we again meet former cop Max (Tom Hardy), who is driving through the wasteland, trying to stay one step ahead of marauders on his tail.

His fight for survival takes a nasty turn when Max is captured by “The Wild Boys,” the fanatical cult led by Immortan Joe (still played by Hugh Keays-Byrne), a ruthless warlord who controls the water supply – and therefore, the people.

Soon afterwards, we meet Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron), one of Immortan Joe’s prized lieutenants and the driver of the fearsome “war rig.” As yet another slave of Joe’s cruel rule, Furiosa executes a plan to smuggle Joe’s harem of girls (“The Five Wives”) out of captivity. Assuming her plan works, Furiosa will hopefully take the wives to the freedom of her homeland.

Of course Joe isn’t too keen on the idea, so soon he and his War Boys set off in pursuit of Furiosa (with Max in tow), but as the chase grinds on, and pushes them all across the harshness of Fury Road, Max comes to realize that Furiosa may just be the ally Max needed.

This was such a refreshing movie to see. Fury Road is a throwback to the days of practical filmmaking and stunt work, which I hope young action fans must appreciate. The vehicles, characters, and sets are for the most part, real, and the few CGI sequences (like the desert storm) are visually stunning and well-executed. And the cinematography is just… wow.

The soundtrack by Junkie XL sets the rhythm and keeps the pulse of the film racing, never missing a beat. Not a single piece of music feels out-of-place. The music is even humorously referenced in the film itself, with the colorful freaks who serve as musicians in Immortan Joe’s war caravan.

The cast in Fury Road is wonderful. Even with minimal dialogue, Tom Hardy creates a multi layered Max. Although we know very little about him, we get just enough glimpses into what makes him the way he is. Also, I never felt like Hardy was trying to copy anything Mel Gibson did in the original movies.

Meanwhile, Nicholas Hoult, continues to be a standout performer, bringing depth, humor, and just plain fun to his “Nux” character. This is one character that grows on you ans the movie progresses.

But perhaps my favorite part of Fury Road, is Charlize Theron’s Furiosa . The fact of the matter is, she is the main star of this movie. Theron is always terrific, but she has never been more badass than she is in Fury Road.

Furiosa is a strong, vulnerable, smart, and compassionate. And yet, she is still ruthlessly violent when circumstances call her to be. I can’t think of any other actress who could have pulled this role off.

Come on George Miller, give us a Furiosa solo movie!

I freaking loved this movie! “Mad Max: Fury Road” is one of the best pure action movies in years (if not ever). Fury Road is two hours of non-stop chases, explosions, and amazing battles. There is hardly a moment to catch your breath before the action picks up again.

This movie is very violent, but its beautiful in the way the violence is portrayed, the entire movie is almost like an opera. Just brilliant work by George Miller.

And before I forget, I highly recommend you see “Mad Max:Fury Road” in theatres. Otherwise, you will not get the full experience.

“Mad Max:Fury Road” final score: 10