Movie: Furiosa: The Mad Max Saga
Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke, Alyla Browne, George Shevtsov, Lachy Hulme, John Howard, Angus Sampson, Charlee Fraser, Elsa Pataky, Nathan Jones, Josh Helman
Director: George Miller
Rating: 4/5
Duration: 148 minutes
This prequel, an origin story of renegade warrior Furiosa before her encounter and alliance with Mad Max, is an extravagantly lush mix of breathtaking action, lavish settings, and gorgeous art.
Furiosa (Alyla Browne) is first seen as a girl plucking an apple from the orchard in the Green Place of Many Mothers, where she falls prey to a horde of bikers from the warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth looking handsome and acting like a madman with a prosthetic nose) stable. Her mother comes to rescue her, but there is no way to escape the men of the wasteland who seek greener pastures. Once Dementus has her in his clutches, the little girl has no escape unless she reveals the location of her paradise… and only when she’s older (this version played by Anya Taylor Joy), does she find a way. to get revenge on her. the many indignities to which she was subjected.
This gritty, breathtaking, sweeping saga of capture, escape and revenge amidst larger-than-life tyrants vying for preeminence is by far the most brilliantly crafted epic we’ve seen in a long time. Traversing vast Wastelands, we encounter incredible characters whose evil goes far beyond routine mockery. It is a never-ending battle of wits and insight and only he with the greatest stamina and ability to withstand pain is able to survive the bombardment.
The moving mix of brutality and humor is a winner in every way. There’s no way you’ll tire of the action as at every turn, as barbarism breaks loose, there’s self-deprecating humor thrown your way. Dementus is brutal but also fun and that makes him the villain you most enjoy watching.
The sound of revving motorcycles, a beastly truck build, Dementus’ bike-powered chariot – the vehicles on display here are simply fantastic. Car chases, hordes of chasing bikers, and countless creative ways to kill the enemy: this movie’s bag of tricks is overflowing. Even more, there are simple moments of beauty that are so stunning that they completely take your breath away.
The narrative is a thrill-seeker’s paradise, packed with jaw-dropping action, fiercely resilient men and women equally capable of incredible savagery, and visuals that might well threaten your existing belief in what’s possible.
From start to finish, Furiosa has a strong and captivating story with many subplots that establish deep ties to ‘Fury Road’. The post-apocalyptic setting, fast-paced action sequences, stunning visuals and powerful cast of characters will keep you glued to your seats throughout the 148-minute run time. The chase scenes and exciting battles are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. The intensity never wanes as Furiosa switches allies and friends as she fights to survive and eventually escape. Alyla Browne and Anya Taylor Joy make Furiosa imminently believable. Browne, who plays the younger version, shows vulnerability, great courage, fierceness, initiative and intuitive fighting skills, while Taylor Joy, in the adult version, shows maturity, strength, determination, resilience and a never-give-up spirit. They both barely have any lines to speak, but their eyes and body language are so demonstrative that they completely embody the character they play. Chris Hemsworth’s portrayal of the villain Dementus is exceptionally charismatic and sinister. He does well to keep us divided even as he commits the most heinous of atrocities.
Jorge MillerThe direction is completely assured as he steers this prequel: a bleak and visually stunning masterpiece, through a maelstrom of high-octane action and deep storytelling. Tom Holkenborg’s camera work is outstanding. The film’s post-apocalyptic setting comes to life with stunning cinematography and jaw-dropping practical effects. It just draws you in and never lets you take your eyes off the screen. Obviously, CGI has played a big role in the production of this epic, but it’s never obvious. It’s so beautifully stylized and well calibrated that you don’t realize it’s there until the film ends and the credits roll. The editing, production, art and sound design, makeup, costumes and prosthetics are all beautifully done. Furiosa may not be as anarchic as ‘Fury Road’, but it is a modern action classic in its own right and deserves to be seen on the biggest screen possible.