We all wonder and hope if an upcoming film will fulfil our rising expectations; our confidence is tested and anticipation builds upon the release of accompanying trailers. With Mad Max: Fury Road it was a forgone conclusion from day one. After a seemingly endless wait for fans, visionary director George Miller finally take us back to the wasteland; throwing us face first into a harsh and desolate desert landscape littered with scraps of the old world, and a where humanity is merely a mirage on the horizon. We follow our beloved anti-hero, Max Rockatansky, a hardened and tormented ex-cop, as he helps a fierce rebel named Furiosa journey back to her childhood homeland. In deadly pursuit are a party of crazed warriors lead by the grossly disfigured Immortan Joe.
The vehicle oriented nature of the Mad Max films returns in this latest instalment with spectacular fashion. Vehicle design surpasses what we saw in The Road Warrior; their ferocious and nightmarish appearance is unmatched. Each one is ridiculously unique, and they perfectly reflect the chaotic and twisted state of the world they tear across. All this of course, makes for some incredible action and chase sequences which viewers will find nothing short of exhilarating. I left the film in state of almost psychical exhaustion, and I cannot express enough how refreshing it was to see a film of this calibre that isn’t dominated by CGI. Most interestingly the menacing convertibles act as a source of worship, paralleling the recurring theme of the obsession over gasoline (or ‘guzoline’ as it’s often refereed to). Thus being literal driving force of the film itself.
Tom Hardy does a fine job stepping into the iconic role of “Max”, bringing a hard edge to the character that Mel Gibson delivered so well. Apart from a few slips in his accent I think fans will be more than satisfied. Charlize Theron as Furiosa, who is arguably the film’s central character, gives one of the strongest performances. She’s a character the audience can easily get behind, and one who proves to be a great female counterpart for Max .You won’t recognize him, but Hugh Keays-Byrne who is famously known for his role in the original Mad Max, portrays Immortan Joe with great ferocity. Joe resonates the theme of enslavement as an oppressive, self proclaimed demi-god who offerers his many desperate and gullible followers the false promise of eternal glory as a reward for self sacrifice in his name.
Many fans will fret over whether this new high speed venture is a sequel or reboot. At the end of the day it doesn’t matter. It’s a movie; so enjoy it! Mad Max: Fury Road is ‘Dante’s Inferno’ across a post-apocalyptic wasteland. I urge you to see it in theatres while you have the chance as big screen viewing is compulsory.
★★★★
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