Despite hearing that you do not really need to see the previous films to understand this one, I still had the feeling that I needed to see the trilogy. The first one for me was a good revenge story with great action and effective camerawork. The second one (Road Warrior) was more of the Mad Max I had heard of. Set in a apocalyptic future where everyone is battling for fuel, which is essentially Waterworld in the desert. It is definitely the best one of the three. The third and most recent one was not that good, which was a real shame. There is a good idea there, but it seems they just have not told an interesting enough story yet.
Now 30 years later, we are back with a fourth installment. However, unlike most recent 80's re-boots, the director from the original franchise is returning also. George Miller began this famous Australian franchise and I am glad to see a director do this and see if this idea can be successful in the 21st century.
When I saw the Mad Max films, I could definitely see an interesting idea in there. But I think the low budget and limited film technology prevented us from seeing how good this could have been.
After seeing the trailer, I was confident that Miller and his team seems to have fully grasped the use of 21st century filming technology.
From the very first scene, you can tell this film is not going to let up on the high octane action. You get dumped straight into this post apocalyptic world and you begin to understand why everyone has gone slightly mad.
It will feel like being hurled straight in the middle of a roller-coaster ride, the engines are revving and the fires are blazing full of vengeance and redemption. This can only be, Mad Max.
We see the continuing adventures of Max and from what I can tell it looks like it is set between Road Warrior and Beyond Thunderdome.
A lot of new characters are introduced and we get to understand a lot more about how to live in this horrific apocalyptic world.
I can safely say this is the action film we have been waiting for. Its wonderful and eagerly awaited high use of practical effects could be matched by The Dark Knight trilogy from any other recent action films.
We have several rip-roaring vintage chase scenes that brings you straight back into the style of film-making Miller did in the first two Mad Max's. But what makes an action film successful is the addition of an interesting story with characters you really care for.
This has tons of it. From the brutal war-lords, to the inspiring freedom fighters. Fury Road is a white-knuckle ride that needs to be seen on the biggest screen possible.
Everything about it screams grand-scale. This is Miller's baby and it looks like nobody was going to get in the way of his vision that began in 1979. I am so happy that he and his team has made great use of the modern filming technology, and they have made it a visual feast.
But I must remind you that even with those action set-pieces taking place, there is heart to this film with its touching humanistic story.
That story is pushed by many great performances. Despite Tom Hardy playing the main character, this is clearly Charlize Theron's film as she plays the female lead. While Theron leads the way, we do eventually see Hardy shine as the Max we all know in the final third.
Hardy is known for being a big fan of practical effects. Which is mainly why he is involved with films by Christopher Nolan. I think Miller could be a welcomed addition to help expand Hardy's filmography.
I must give an honorable mention to Nicholas Hoult who was a great supportive role. I also noticed appearances by Rosie Huntingdon-Whiteley, Zoe Kravitz, Nathan Jones and an unrecognizable Josh Helman. Also, I noticed the actor who plays the main villain looked like someone familiar from the original Mad Max. It turned out I was completely right and felt that that was a nice touch to add something from the films that started all of this.
Overall, I thought it was very impressive, lots of fun and it is definitely the action extravaganza that hopefully sends a message out to everyone else that relies far too much on CGI action set-pieces.
The action does not seem to know how to stop and I hugely admire Miller's enigmatic tone and style as it is something we do not get from many recent summer blockbusters.
The on-screen relationship of Hardy and Theron is touching and is nice relief whilst we recover from one massive action set-piece to the next. The soundtrack is exhilarating and the style of editing really sends you back to the 80's where action were probably at their best. I really hope this gets recognized at the Oscars. The categories that it has the best chance of being noticed in are editing, cinematography, costume design, production design and visual effects.
Despite you not really needing to see previous Mad Max films, there are actually some small hints and references to the original trilogy which was nice to see.
Fury Road definitely needs to be experienced in the cinema, and is probably the first 2015 film that I can see ending up in my top 10 at the end of the year.
Rating: 8/10
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