Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga review

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA: 

WHAT A PREQUEL, WHAT A LOVELY PREQUEL! 

By Nico Beland

Movie Review: **** out of 4

WARNER BROS. PICTURES

Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

 

            George Miller (The Witches of Eastwick, Babe: Pig in the City, Three Thousand Years of Longing) returns to his post-apocalyptic world that he created all the way back in 1979 in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, the latest installment of the Mad Max film series and prequel to 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road. I love the Mad Max movies (Even Thunderdome despite its flaws has a lot of amazing things in it) especially Fury Road and consider it a landmark in action movie filmmaking with its adrenaline pumped action and stunts, incredible use of practical effects, a scene-stealing performance from Charlize Theron as Furiosa, and surprisingly compelling characters even with all the chaos going on in the film (Need I mention the Flamethrower Guitar Guy?). 

            Fury Road isn’t just my favorite Mad Max movie but one of my favorite films in general and I was eagerly awaiting the next chapter of Miller’s iconic franchise. That’s where Furiosa comes in set before the events of Fury Road with Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen’s Gambit, Last Night in Soho, The Menu) donning the prosthetic metal arm. 

            This was one of my most anticipated films of the year though I was mildly skeptical, Mad Max: Fury Road was a game-changing spectacle of a movie and with most audiences going in pretty much knowing what they’re in for, can George Miller recapture the same magic without rehashing the previous film? The answer, YES! 

            While I may have enjoyed Fury Road a little more because it was such a pleasant surprise when I saw it, this is an excellent origin story to the fan-favorite Mad Max character that retains much of the spectacle of Fury Road while also going back to the formula of the original Mad Max movie where it’s a simple revenge story. It is the kind of movie that gives exactly what you’re looking for, but still done extraordinarily well and very entertaining to watch. 

            The film is set 45 years after a global catastrophe and follows a young Furiosa (Taylor-Joy) who was taken from her family as a child by a ruthless warlord and leader of the Biker Horde known as Dementus (Chris Hemsworth-Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Cabin in the Woods, Rush) who also killed her mother. The movie chronicles her life from her kidnapping by Dementus, her struggle to survive as a slave, and eventually becoming a lieutenant of notorious cult leader Immortan Joe (Lachy Hulme-The Matrix 2 and 3, Killer Elite, Three Thousand Years of Longing) until she can take revenge on Dementus. 

            The film also stars Tom Burke (Dragonheart: A New Beginning, Donkey Punch, Mank) as Praetorian Jack, Nathan Jones (Jackie Chan’s First Strike, Troy, Mortal Kombat (2021) reprising his role from Mad Max: Fury Road as Rictus Erectus, Josh Helman (Jack Reacher, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Thirteen Lives) who previously portrayed Slit in Mad Max: Fury Road as Scrotus, John Howard reprising his role from Mad Max: Fury Road as The People Eater, Angus Sampson (Insidious franchise, Fargo, Mortal Kombat (2021)) reprising his role from Mad Max: Fury Road as The Organic Mechanic, and Charlee Fraser (Anyone But You) as Mary Jo Bassa. 

            Overall, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga probably won’t be a cinematic game-changer like Mad Max: Fury Road, but it’s still an expertly crafted prequel filled with exhilarating action and strong character moments. This is also a movie that demands to be seen in theaters preferably on the largest screen possible with loud sound, if you wait to stream this movie instead of going out to the theater to watch it, I will fucking end you! 

            There is still plenty of Fury Road-style action and stunts, but unlike Fury Road where it tells its story and characters through one long chase sequence, this one definitely has more dialogue moments. While I may prefer the overblown aggressiveness and constant energy of Fury Road, I was still very invested in these characters and what they’re going through because the acting is so good and the world Miller creates for these movies is always fascinating to explore onscreen. 

As already mentioned, the film plays like a revenge movie similar to the original movie where it’s more about Furiosa getting revenge on the man who stole her and murdered her mother rather than surviving a world filled with insane people. In a way, Furiosa feels more personal and less explosive than something like Fury Road or The Road Warrior and is more about the character’s journey for vengeance which I was perfectly fine with. 

The film does a stellar job at making the audience get attached to Furiosa and wanting her to succeed in her goal. The movie spends a good chunk of the first half with Furiosa as a child and showing what happened to her and I was already invested in her story even before she became Anya Taylor-Joy, speaking of which. 

Anya Taylor-Joy is a great Furiosa and captures a lot of the mannerisms and expressions of Charlize Theron’s performance while still making the role her own. Much like Tom Hardy when he played Mad Max in Fury Road, he isn’t trying to imitate Mel Gibson from the earlier films, he is doing his own take on the character and that’s exactly what Taylor-Joy does here with Furiosa, I bought her completely as the young version of this character. 

            With all these insane vehicles, weapons, and stunts happening onscreen, Chris Hemsworth is the most over-the-top, cartoony thing in the entire film as Dementus. I’ve always enjoyed Hemsworth as an actor (Especially after seeing him play Thor), but this might be my new favorite performance of his because he is completely over-the-top, silly, and downright scary as Dementus and he is clearly having a blast going as crazy as he can get for our amusement, not to mention his hilariously cartoonish cockney accent. 

            The action and stunts are amazing and mostly done practically, but it is more of the same from Mad Max: Fury Road and I don’t mean that as a criticism. If you’ve seen the last movie you know what the action is going to be like and it’s all done extremely well and takes advantage of the large screens. 

            Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is among my favorite Mad Max movies and my favorite films of the year so far. Anya Taylor-Joy shines, Chris Hemsworth hams it up like crazy, the action sequences and practical effects are incredible, and George Miller once again is at the top of his game, it has everything I look for in a great summer blockbuster and just a great movie in general so strap in and enjoy the ride.