FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA – A Review by Cynthia Flores
At its world premiere on May 15th, this film received a seven-minute standing ovation at this year’s prestigious Cannes Film Festival in France. I believe that fans of the Mad Max series of films will be more than pleased with the fifth movie in the Mad Max Canon which focuses on developing the world they saw only as glimpses in 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road.
Which, as a heads up, they use a very smart montage of scenes from the 2015 film to let you know that Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is indeed a prequel, and the story continues and has already been told.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga tells the origin story of the amazing warrior Furiosa brought to life originally in 2015 by Academy Award-winning actress Charlize Theron. Where she is leading Immortan Joe’s slave wives in a bold escape from his desert fortress. In this film, we first see Imperator Furiosa as a strong young girl (Alyla Browne) who as her mother (Charlee Fraser) tells her “Do whatever you must to survive and find your way back home.” The horrors she must face in the Wastelands would make most people give up and just die. But Furiosa is fueled by her promise to her mother and her hatred of Dr. Dementus (Chris Hemsworth).
Once she has grown (Anya Taylor-Joy) we see her stay hidden in plain sight, until she is befriended by the tough and wild Praetorian Jack (Tom Burke). One of the only men who can drive up and down Fury Road and live to tell about it. Together they make deliveries using the magnificent War Rig. It’s a tricked-out semi-truck on steroids. They deliver food and water in exchange for bullets and gas between the main outposts. The two fall in love and hatch a plot to escape their lives and return to Furiosa’s homeland of plenty. Will they make it? You must watch this amazing film to find out.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is brilliantly shot by New Zealand cinematographer Simon Duggan. Along with the soundscape created by Simon Allen makes you feel like you are in the middle of all the madness. There are times, in the IMAX theater, when the blending of images and raw sound makes you feel like you are on the back of a motorcycle. Rumbling along with the rest of the warriors in the film. Of course, both these men’s talents are put to good use by the man who directed and co-wrote all five of the Mad Max films. That is the iconic Australian film director George Miller. This whole storyline started in that very deep mind. Who else could make the beautiful Chris Hemsworth lose all his beauty and give us the mad twisted villain Dr. Dementus that everyone loves to hate?
I give Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga 4.5 stars. It is the best female lead, kick-ass, action film that makes you want to jump on a big motorcycle and ride around in the heat film I have seen in years. Make sure to pay extra and watch this on IMAX as it was meant to be seen.
Directed by: George Miller
Written by: George Miller, Nick Lathouris
Rated: R
Running Time: 2 hrs 28 min
Action/Sci-Fi
In theaters Wide Release: May 24th
Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.
4 Stars – Good movie/show
3 Stars – OK movie/show
2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…
1 Star – Total waste of time.
