In Mad Max: Fury Road, Max Rockatansky is back on the road again travelling solo. But although Max does his best to keep himself to himself, he is captured and taken to the citadel of maniacal warlord, Immortan Joe, where he is to become a ‘blood bag’ for one of Joe’s minions.
While Max is imprisoned, Immortan Joe sends one of his lieutenants, Imperator Furiosa, on an important mission. Furiosa is to drive an armoured rig to Gas Town, to trade with Joe’s allies.
But unbeknown to Joe, Furiosa has an alternative plan in mind. Five of Joe’s wives are hidden in the rig, and Furiosa is helping them to escape.
When Joe learns of Furiosa’s treachery he sets off in pursuit, flanked by a battalion of his most loyal soldiers. And having been strapped to the front of a vehicle, Max is also taken along for the ride.
What follows is a crazy, chaotic, and quite insane car chase across the deserted post-apocalyptic wasteland, as Immortan Joe pursues Furiosa and his missing wives. And whether he likes it or not, Max is caught up in the middle.
Directed and co-written by George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road stars Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Zoë Kravitz. The movie is the fourth entry in the Mad Max movie series, picking up the story sometime after the events of Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome.
However, unlike the three previous films, actor Mel Gibson doesn’t return for this entry, and is instead replaced by Tom Hardy in the role of Max. Gibson wasn’t asked back due to his age at the time of production, and also due to controversy surrounding the actor, and Hardy was deemed a suitable replacement.
Is Gibson’s absence a problem? Surprisingly not – the movie doesn’t suffer at all.
The main reason is because Max feels more like a secondary character this time around, rather than the key driving force. Oh, Max’s name might be included in the title of the film, but Charlize Theron’s Furiosa is arguably the star player here, so the recast never becomes a sticking point.
The other reason why Fury Road doesn’t have to worry about the Gibson-Hardy switch-a-roo is because there’s very little time to dwell on it. Fury Road is essentially one long chase movie, which thunders along almost effortlessly and looks absolutely spectacular while doing it.
Fury Road is a fast-paced, beautiful movie, and easily the best entry of the first four films. Fury Road is also without doubt one of the greatest action movies of all-time.
The first 15 minutes are the set-up, followed by an exciting chase sequence. There’s a brief pause, with boots on the ground, then the engines are fired back up and the chase continues.
From here the intensity of the chase ebbs and flows, but at no point does the story or the film ever lose momentum. Just like Furiosa’s rig, Fury Road keeps on trucking, and it’s all impressive stuff.
At times it is exhilarating and at other times it is bonkers. It’s also fascinating to look at and extremely creative.
Creativity and innovation play a huge part in the Mad Max movie series and this is never more true than it is here. And to be four films in and still find ways to add something new and vibrant to the screen is just insane.
The action and the visuals are simply perfect in Fury Road, with director George Miller demonstrating a firm grasp on his picture. By all accounts, Fury Road wasn’t an easy shoot, with some backstage issues to contend with, including a fractious working relationship between Hardy and Theron, yet none of this impacts the movie.
The aforementioned Theron is the real trump card in Fury Road. She brings power and strength to the screen, and makes Furiosa a compelling hero.
Does the actress overshadow Hardy? Yep, totally, but this is because she simply gives a stronger performance.
Based on what Theron delivers, it’s not surprising the next Mad Max movie would centre its focus on Furiosa. And although the part gets recast for 2024’s Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, with Anya Taylor-Joy in the role, the movie exists in large part because of what Theron delivers here.
Outside of the above, Fury Road boasts AMAZING cinematography from cinematographer John Seale, and truly EPIC stunt work. At the 88th Academy Awards Fury Road picked up six Oscars including Best Film Editing, Best Production Design, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, Best Costume Design, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and it deserved all of these awards and more.
Fury Road is an exceptional movie and a brilliant example of cinema at its best. Not because it fits into the typical Hollywood mould, but because it is over-the-top, incredibly unique, and so damn stylish.
With a simple story, little dialogue, and an emphasis on action, Fury Road excels in everything it does. The movie packs an incredible wallop and takes the Mad Max series to new heights.
The film is a rip-roaring thrill ride with fire, energy, and a seemingly endless amount of spectacle. Fury Road is proof that even when you think a movie series has peaked or has had its day (or decade) in the sun, it can still surprise and delight.
Should you wish to watch Mad Max: Fury Road, the movie is widely available on DVD, Blu-ray, 4K, and digital.
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