"What a day. What a lovely day!"
Mad Max: Fury Road is the fourth movie in the Mad Max series directed by George Miller. In the beginning, we see Max (played by Tom Hardy) standing in front of a vast, arid land as we are introduced to the post-apocalyptic world that ran out of water and oil. Then, Max is captured and imprisoned by a group of people. They bring him to the citadel where he tries to escape but fails, and is used as a "blood bag" for Nux, one of the war boys. The war boys - and pretty much everyone in the Citadel - worship Immortan Joe, a warlord and Big Brother-like figure who holds power by owning the water system. We are soon introduced to another character - Imperator Furiosa, a high-ranking female who is driving a truck transporting Immortan's breeders (wives). However, she suddenly strays off-course and Immortan and his army's chase begins. All of that in one sentence: Furiosa kidnaps Immortan's wives - and to bring them back Immortan leads an entire army, one of whom is Nux with his blood bag Max.
Before you go see this, please do yourself the favor of watching the trailer. Don't go into the movie unprepared and then leave saying you didn't like it. Some trailers don't give much info about the movie, so it's fair to say so. But Mad Max: Fury Road's trailer is exactly what the movie is. It's a dark, psychotic, action-packed movie that will leave you drooling over the amazing graphics and action scenes for the rest of the day. However, if you aren't into post-apocalyptic societies with strange humanoid creatures, huge vehicles of destruction, and violence, do not watch.
Now that you've gotten the feel of the movie, I have to begin my review by saying that I have not seen any of the past Mad Max series - in fact, I had not even heard of them or the filmmaker George Miller. I am very embarrassed to admit it, yes - but I have to. (One of my favorite YouTube movie reviewers said something like, 'if you haven't heard of the Mad Max series, where have you been? Why are you watching movies?!'... it made me sad.) Anyways, this review is from the point of view of an ignorant, uneducated film viewer.
The beginning of the movie is such a solid start. We get a sense of who Max is (in a very mysterious way) but then he gets captured in the first five minutes -- What kind of movie does that, putting the main character in danger from the start? Not many, and it's great. Then the attempted escape scene (most of which is included in the trailer) is so nerve-racking that I was on the edge of my seat. It wasn't like those fake action scenes where you know the main character is going to live somehow through a shower of bullets and jumping out of the fourth floor. This was real action, the kind of action that actually has you worrying for his safety. And hell yeah, we are going to see this kind of action for the rest of the movie. The introduction also does a great job at introducing the strange setting, the gross warlord, and Nux, all of whom I tried to describe above. Just watch the trailer and you'll see what I mean. Some people have complained the beginning is to loud and packed with action - however, I think this is a strong point because right away it prepares you for the rest of the movie, which is going to be even crazier.
If anyone is going to talk about Mad Max: Fury Road, the first thing they will describe is the action. I know, I've praised the action in the previous paragraph, but that's hardly all I can say about it. They action is pure gold. It's marvelous, beautiful - and I know this word is overused - but in its most genuine sense, it's awesome. Most of the movie is chase sequences and I have too much to say about it. First, the vehicles, weapons, and fighting techniques are fresh and unique - you have never seen anything like it in any other movie (except maybe the previous Mad Max movies, but I wouldn't know). There are all sorts of cool cars with countless spikes and gears and the weapons range from giant spears to flamethrowers.There is even a huge truck with enormous amps and a warboy playing electric guitar hanging from it. And guess what, the electric guitar shoots out fire - where else are you going to see that? Yes, some of it seems like inefficient or stupid choices of weapons - but who cares, it's so damn awesome!
Second, even with great weapons action is nothing without good sequences. In Mad Max: Fury Road, Each chase scene feels different from the last and the characters are in a new kind of danger every moment - this will have your eyes glued to the screen. Third, even the best action scenes aren't praiseworthy without good direction and cinematography. The changing camera angles and points of view enhance the scenes to make the most out of them. There are side-views of people fighting on vehicles, there are cameras that follow the cars as they move, and there are wide bird's-eye views of the huge chase scenes - all of which fit perfectly. Finally, I have to point out one specific part that I really enjoyed: the sandstorm scene. I won't try to depict it. Just watch and enjoy.
Now that I can't think of more praises for the action, let's delve into other aspects of a movie. The plot is mediocre to be honest - not the most original from the beginning to the end. I like the setting, which is kind of unique, but other than that, the storyline is not too developed. The characters are better, but still not amazing. Furiosa is a badass female who can destroy anyone in her path, but we learn that she has a real purpose. Nux is a great character - at first, he is brainwashed into believing and following the godlike Immortan. He even wants to die for him. But through his journey, he learns the truth and changes his values, becoming a very fragile and likable boy. Both Furiosa and Nux go through a lot - and I don't just mean physically, I also mean emotionally. These parts, which are hard to insert in a crazy action movie, don't fell unnatural at all, and I genuinely felt sad at some parts.
Immortan is the classic power-hungry, male totalitarian dictator who really, really cares about his wives for some reason (I didn't quite get why he valued them so much). Even each of the wives had characteristics that differentiated them. They weren't just a group of girl who were nameless and unmemorable. Finally, Max is an enigma. He is supposed to be the movie's main character (judging from the title), but there really isn't much about him. He keeps having flashes of 'the people he couldn't protect', which distract him during battle, but the movie doesn't explain what they are. I was waiting until the end for them to give Max's back story, but it never came. Maybe if I had seen the previous movies, I would understand; but just from this movie, Max did not seem like the main character, and not much emphasis was put on him. Last but not least, you can't forget the electric guitarist, who was the main source of comedy in the movie.
I've discussed the plot and characters, which in most movies I view as the most important elements of a movie. However, it does not apply to all movies, and definitely not this one. Mad Max: Fury Road was made for its action, and it achieved what it was supposed to. Expecting great plot along with the action is asking for too much. It would be like watching a romantic comedy and complaining there wasn't enough action, or watching a horror movie and criticizing its lack of humor. Every movie has its own goal. Therefore, I have to place less importance on the plot and characters and more on the action. And who knows, maybe if I had seen the past movies, I would have understood the plot and Max better. However, I can't say that there were no parts in the movie where it felt a bit long or dragged-out or that I wasn't a bit disappointed at the ending.
9.0/10 - Definitely some of the best action I've ever seen. Maybe even the best.
