Director: George Miller
By Alex Watson
Mastermind George Miller has ensured that out of nothing, Mad Max:Fury Road is a wall to wall belter which firmly reignites this franchise! A blood pumping thrill ride from the off, Miller's apocalyptic Oz world is engaging as it was when Mad Mel donned the black leathers. Stuck in development hell for over 22 years, this picture has not only been worth the wait! The raw punk rock influence of its predecessors has not been lost and finally Max has come on the biggest scale of all.
Captured by the War Boys of tribe leader Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne), Max (Tom Hardy) reluctantly joins forces with defector Imperor Furiosa (Charlize Theron). The catch involves transporting Joe's five selected wives across to a safer haven across the Fury Road. But with not only Joe, but numerous other clans in pursuit- this will be no straight forward task.
With a far larger budget compared it is predecessors, Miller has been able to go full frontal on the carnage front and Mad Max: Fury Road excels epically. Seeing various tribes looking extra's from a Billy Idol video tear across the desert landscape, it is impossible not to grin widely. The beginning sequence gives a big indication of things to come as Furiosa driving the heaving armed 'War Rig' manages to thwart not only a wave of attacks from the War Boys, but then drives head first into a gigantic sandstorm! There may be questions surrounding the events of the beginning sequence, but when everyone hits the road- all theories become like the sand hanging on the breeze.
The relationship between Max and Furiosa is the one that forms the real heart of the movie. Years on, the Road Warrior is just as appealing and gutsy as the days of old. His words are infrequent, but when he lands them the effect is always felt. His reasons for joining this dangerous quest are up for speculation, but then again Mad Max has always favored the long odds. But out of the two leads, it is Furiosa who appeals more to our nature. She a woman who is desperate but not on her knees, who yearns to be free of the tyrannical group from she was forced into as a young girl. Her compassion and sheers balls that are demonstrated mark her out and as one of the heroines of the year!
But its glimpsing upon the tribe HQ 'The Citadel' that is the real eye opener. Here Miller shows a world of domination that boarders on grotesque. We see women being farmed for breast milk and Max himself is used a blood bank for desperate to impress warrior Nux (Nicholas Hoult). Joe is certainly a heavy and Valhalla spouting presences as leader, along with his silver skull oxygen mask and growling Bane like voice. Controlling his minions with an iron fist and sparingly giving them his waterfall of 'Aqua Cola' it is easy to see how the innocents of this world have immortalized his being. However, the moment that Furiosa goes rogue to rescue the unwilling brides, the movies takes on a high octane feel that shifts into top gear and refused to lower the gas pedal!
As the new Max, Tom Hardy makes for a worthy replacement and his presences on screen in one that dominates Miller's film. One of this centuries most prominent talents, Hardy has built his career is playing tough and imposing figures and Max fits him like a glove. This nuclear world will now be safe hands in future and Hardy is contracted for future sequels. Charlize Theron is also excellent as the determined Furiosa. Through her impressive turn, Theron provides the movie with a strong female presence which is badly needed for the story. Also there is welcome to return for Max old boy Hugh Keays-Byrne, who played antagonist Toe Cutter into the very first installment.
Against the odds, George Miller has delivered an exciting and rip roaring return in Mad Max: Fury Road. One of the better movies you will witness this summer, the future of Max Rockatansky is looking a lot brighter!
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