What a Rush!! That was the catchphrase of a very popular Wrestling Tag Team aptly named, The Road Warriors. It’s the perfect way to describe Mad Max: Fury Road. Pure adrenaline rush with one mega action scene after another including some that could take your breath away. What makes it even more impressive is how little CGI was actually used. Warning spoilers ahead…
Mad Max: Fury Road is the fourth film in this post-apocalyptic franchise by director, George Miller and the first one in 30 years. The iconic role that originated with a very young Mel Gibson in 1979 is now placed in the very capable hands of Tom Hardy. Now while Max is the star of the film, the real hero may very well be the character of Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron). Imperator is a convoy driver for the big bad Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne). Joe is a ruthless warlord whose greatest commodity is a stable of young women he uses as breeders. When several of them have had enough, Furiosa smuggles them out and heads to the green lands that remembers from her youth.
So much has been said lately about the role of women in film and how they are portrayed as weak and needy. Some of it is justified but with Fury Road, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The women here are strong and independent. They fight for survival and do so very proficiently. One could argue that Max who was captured and tortured in the beginning of the film by Joe’s army is simply along for the ride. He isn’t necessarily needed or welcomed to help them but these women weren’t going to turn down his help either. He proves time and time again he can hold his own in a fight.
The action and stunts are spectacular. When there were breaks in the action, it only served as a means for the viewer to catch his or her breath before the next jaw dropping and mind blowing action sequence came around again. Even the 3D presentation that I watched only enhanced my experience that much more. I can’t wait for the next installment. Go see this film; you’ll be happy you did.
Directed by: George Miller
Starring: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Nicholas Hoult, Zoe Kravitz and Rosie Huntington.
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD – **** (Out of 5 stars)
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight
