The fourth film in the Mad Max franchise is one of the most exciting times you’ll have at the theater this year; and we can’t wait for more.
From the acclaimed director of Happy Feet, and Babe: Pig in the City, comes a film so full of death, destruction, car stunts, and a badass flaming guitarist who makes your Rock Band score look like sh*t.
It’s been nearly thirty years since a Mad Max film has been in the theater, and while not a reboot, the series is at the top of its game with a “no-holds barred adrenaline-fueled thrill ride“, in Fury Road.
Set in a desolate post-apocalyptic future, Max is on the run from the savages that plague the land, scrounging for what remains of the scarce resources that covered a once very plentiful and bountiful earth. With fuel a rare commodity, and water as valuable as diamonds, Max must do his best to avoid being captured and tortured by the lawless men who will stop at nothing in getting their hands on the Road Warrior himself. However, Max ends up in a road war started by Imperator Furiosa (Theron) after she kidnaps the Immortan Joe’s prized wives, special women used specifically for breeding (basically most of the women in the film look haggard and these ladies are the only ones left who look like Victoria Secret models with all their teeth).
Now, on the wrong side of everyone, Max and Furiosa need to set aside their differences in order to reach the “Green Place”, a land of promise and flourishing life populated by those who are healthy and thriving in an otherwise decaying world.
**Plot Spoilers Below**
So here’s the thing; never before have I been in a theater where the action is this non-stop. I am not over-exaggerating; this film has more explosions and car stunts than Michael Bay’s dream film, the only difference here is that George Miller’s Fury Road has substance, characters you genuinely care for, and a plot that develops without leaving audiences asking for more of either.
Charlize Theron proves that a female can not only steal the show and lead a film targeted towards a largely male demographic, she can also be a total badass.
Now, I know what you are thinking; let me start by saying no, Theron’s and Hardy’s chemistry has nothing to do with love, or any type of romantic passion. To be honest, that is the furthest thing from either of their character’s intentions. And that is a good thing. Too often do strong female leads lose the respect of the audience looking for a featured female protagonist; and that is not the actor’s fault, it’s the characters. Age of Ultron’s Black Widow is a good example of this. Romanov is a fighter, a killer, and completely awesome; though in the latest Marvel flick, she is reduced to a motherly figure to the Avengers and the love interest of Banner/Hulk. Not necessarily a bad thing, but a stereotype women in action would want to avoid if trying to maintain the strong independent badass persona. Furiosa is the perfect embodiment of that. She relies on no one else, and she does not have to.
Mad Max 5: Fast and Furious Road
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Of course this is a Mad Max film, so when the two cross paths they ultimately have to work together for survival, which is key considering the circumstances. But while she needs Max’s help, it is absolutely not one-sided, which makes for the perfect fit. He needs her just as much as the other way around, and to that effect, you have an otherwise genderless partnership devoid of any stereotypes that would follow an actress negatively.
Visually, Mad Max is a feast for your eyes in ways that combine everything you want in an action film; lots of explosions, powerful beasts of vehicles, and colors that blend in so well, you will praise director George Miller’s attention to what can truly be considered cinematic artistry. The fact is, Mad Max: Fury Road does not take itself seriously, but I found myself never thinking anything on-screen was cheesy or absurd in any way, which is odd considering the sheer absurdity of the ideas of it all. The only thing I thought to myself with criticism was, “Hmm, they do spend an awful lot of time driving around aimlessly revving their engines when they should be conserving fuel, but whatever.”
After the film’s credits rolled, I did consider that Tom Hardy had what amounted to very little screen time, and even less dialogue. He has a muzzle latched to his face, but it does not seem to interfere with his ability to speak; or if it does, there was not plot piece I saw that elaborated on it. When he is on-screen, he is barely speaking, if at all. I am not kidding, he says literally 12 words through the whole movie it seems like. And when he is on-screen, someone else is taking over the conversation. Somehow, all things considered, this was not a big deal, as I felt Fury Road was setting up the lay of the land, as it were, as if to prepare us for the future Mad Max sequels that Miller has already assured are on the way.
One other thing that will draw your attention, is the crazy guitarist in the red onesie on the front of the big rig. This guy is playing the guitar with MASSIVE speakers to set the tone for a battle, like a drummer in the Civil War. Only difference is, this guy is wielding a guitar that acts as a flame thrower. Yes, you read that right. A bloody flame thrower.
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This guy knows how to party.
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If you are someone who enjoys explosions, chaotic car chases, massive amounts of destruction, and a perfect touch of cinematic beauty in your action films, and you do, then Mad Max: Fury Road is absolutely the film you should see at the theater this weekend, without a doubt. Keep your expectations high, and just know that George Miller will certainy surpass them.
Mad Max: Fury Road stars Tom Hardy. Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Riley Keough, Zoë Kravitz, Abbey Lee, Courtney Eaton
