A Reel Review - FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA

In 2015, director George Miller unleashed upon an unsuspecting world, the thunderous rampage of MAD MAX: FURY ROAD; the fourth installment of his own MAD MAX franchise which started back in 1979. FURY ROAD would live up to its name on the screen, roaring away with 10 Oscar nominations (winning six), and earning praise as one of the greatest action films of all time. Nine years later, Miller is back in that post-apocalyptic world…this time slowing things down and focusing on character. Meet FURIOSA. 

 

Years before the events of FURY ROAD, Furiosa (Alyla Browne), is taken from her home…a place of abundant green in a desolate hellscape…by the Biker Horde, led by Dementus (Chris Hemsworth), who kills her pursuing mother. As Dementus makes a play for power to own the desert and its resources, Furiosa ends up in the hands of the Citadel, led by Immortan Joe (Lachy Hulme). Once Furiosa grows up (and turns into Anya Taylor-Joy), she plans an escape to her home and revenge against Dementus. 

 

Directed by George Miller, FURIOSA is also true to its name. As a prequel, its primary business is building the character we met in FURY ROAD as an adult. Pieces of her are put together throughout the film, from her origins, mechanical-knowledge, mechanical arm…right down to her haircut and weapons. With character the primary finish-line, FURIOSA really pumps the brakes and takes things a lot slower than FURY ROAD. The first hour is spent moving Furiosa from place to place (Anya Taylor-Joy doesn’t get in the game until almost 60 minutes in), and while the action is there, it’s a bit of a slog to sit through. 

 

But once Furiosa gets some mileage on her, things pick up. Furiosa gets entangled in a coming war between Immortan Joe and Dementus, which offers her the chance to get payback and get back to her home. She hooks up with Praetorian Jack (Tom Burke), where she learns all she needs to about weaponry and building grotesque, nightmarish vehicles. It’s one woman’s story in a big backdrop; the war affects her, and she affects the war in some clever writing. 

 

From day one, the MAD MAX movies have been known for their gritty look. The patched together vehicles and costumes gave the films their personality, and that continues here. But some of the grit is gone in place of modern special effects. While the vehicles look awesome, there is way too much green-screen and CGI which makes the film look too clean. But the film is still a marvel to look at; some practical stunts and car and motorcycle chases are a thrill, and the spectacle (once it starts), is always in high gear. 

 

Acting is superb. Anya Taylor-Joy makes the character her own and is a powerhouse, and her younger self, played by Alyla Browne, is excellent. Chris Hemsworth is a blast and is nearly unrecognizable. He is so much fun that it becomes hard to root for Furiosa to kill him, and his final scene with Furiosa is the best acting he’s ever done. 

 

As a prequel to FURY ROAD, FURIOSA checks off all the boxes in building the character and the world she inhabits…and manages the tall task of making FURY ROAD a little bit deeper. There are some pacing issues here and the slick CGI takes away a lot of the realism we expect from these films, but the destination is satisfying. The thunderous rampage was traded in for a rumble, and that’s not a bad way to go.  

 

BOTTOM LINE: See it