FAST & FURIOSA
Movie Review – “Mad Max: Fury Road”
Review by Ray Schillaci
“Mad Max: Fury Road” is misleading. Not as an epic action/adventure, but as the title suggests a continuation of Max Rockatansky’s sojourn through a wasteland. No, “MM:FR” is a great introduction to two far more interesting characters: Charlize Theron as the super badass, Imperator Furiosa, and Nicholas Hoult as the wildly misguided man/child, Nux, that would give anything for the chance to enter Valhalla with honors.
These two physically and emotionally demanding performances are the glue that keeps this crazy-ass story from derailing into oblivion. The action is in your face. The stunts look like dozens were hurt or killed as in the previous Max movies except this one is in permanent hyperdrive. The setting, along with the vehicles, are gloriously post-apocalyptic and the soundtrack rouses us like never before. But where is Max in all of this?
This is Tom Hardy’s greatest disservice since Bane in “The Dark Knight Rises”. Once again, he’s saddled with a face mask, this time through a third of the film. Also, gone is the glibness Mel instilled in Max. Okay, so his life is now only surviving, and he’s become sullen and dour over the years. But does he have to be boring, uninteresting? Hardy’s Max is a shell of the character we grew to enjoy. He rarely looks as if he has any control, and that’s what made Mel’s Max far more interesting, even in the lesser-appreciated “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome”.
After a very brief exposition of what was, and a very cool disturbing intro of an even crazier Max, the film shifts into super charged overdrive and George Miller delivers the film of our “B” movie dreams with all the fireworks of an insane stock car/demo derby race. There is spectacle on biblical proportions as we are introduced to a fortress built into a cliff where guns, ammunition, water, oil, and mother’s milk are currency, and it’s all run by the great comic book villain Immortan Joe.
Here’s the amazing part: even with an outrageously-designed mask that covers nearly all of his face, Hugh Keays-Byrne as Immortan Joe delivers a performance with far more gusto than Hardy does throughout the entire film. And, perhaps the real star of this film is actually the design itself. The fortress and its minions that look like a cross between David Lynch’s “Dune” and a Terry Gilliam nightmare. The wasteland is epic in its presentation whether its the stark arid plains or the mud drenched dead lands. Then their are the cars and weapons glorious to behold in all their gorgeousness.
With all of this splendidness one would think that director Miller, the master of disaster, has left no stone unturned. Sadly, he missed one, a stronger script and lead character. Basically, “Mad Max: Fury Road”, with all its madness, is a post-apocalyptic western with a nearly non-stop stagecoach chase. But the coach is a gerry-rigged war machine tanker containing water and Immortan Joe’s wives and unborn children stolen by Furiosa for the greater good. And, instead of horses we have souped-up dirt bikes and possibly the coolest custom made battle autos ever seen in any video game. We even get one with giant speakers attached and an electric guitar that spews flames.
Charlize Theron infuses so much testosterone in her role as Furiosa, but at the same time can grace us with her vulnerability as well. In fact, half way through the chase Furiosa becomes a far more interesting focal point in what little story there is along with Nicholas Hoult’s demented Nux. Hoult’s character becomes a near revelation that manages to separate himself from Immortan Joe’s pack of insane War Boys. And, amongst all the fire and brimstone, Max becomes a sideline caricature . A tool just to be used as a quick fix with rarely any depth.
I went into this movie as excited as everyone else. The opening enthralled me. But for some reason, twenty minutes into the film I lost any concern I had for Max Rockatansky, his haunting visions (that lost some who had not seen the previous films), and I patiently waited for something to rouse me. Lost somewhere in the maelstrom was character development and a stronger story. And, it would not have taken much. Instead it was replaced by an extravaganza of explosive theatrics rarely seen in cinema today, but somewhere half-way through, Furiosa’s quest recaptured my attention and had me enjoying the rest of the ride.
Yes, for all you action junkies “Mad Max Fury Road” is calling out to you to witness on the BIG screen with all of its magnificent surround sound to engulf and rattle your senses. Miller’s movie is nearly perfect summer popcorn fare. Notice, I say nearly, for all out insane action and depth, a captivating story and riveting characters Gareth Evans’ “The Raid: Redemption” and “The Raid 2” still stands tall on the action heap.
Directed by: George Miller
Release Date: May 15, 2015
Run Time: 120 Minutes
Country: Australia/USA
Rated: R
Distributor: Warner Brothers
