Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

Rating 7/10

Get ready for another round of chaos in the postapocalyptic Mad Max franchise. Let’s delve into the origin story of the fierce and enigmatic Furiosa (Anya Taylor-Joy) in this prequel set approximately 15 years before the events that shook Fury Road. Witness her evolution from a determined young warrior to a premier officer in Immortan Joe’s fearsome army. Set against a blighted wasteland, director George Miller unleashes a tale that guarantees an explosion of action within a captivating universe.

Decades after a global catastrophe, 10-year-old Furiosa (Alyla Browne) and her sister Valkyrie (Dylan Adonis) live in the Green Place of Many Mothers. When a gang of raiders nears their idyllic home, Furiosa tries to sabotage their motorbikes but is captured. Her mother, Mary Jo Bassa (Charlee Fraser), attempts a rescue but fails, leading to her daughter being taken to the camp of Warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth). Though Furiosa protects the Green Place’s location, Dementus keeps her captive. Mary sneaks into the camp to rescue her daughter but is caught, and Dementus executes her in front of Furiosa, who is then retaken prisoner. The young warrior endures years of hardship, eventually working as a mechanic at the Citadel, presided over by the Immortan Joe (Lachy Hulme taking over for Hugh Keays-Byrne, who passed away in 2020), and developing a plan to escape her oppressors.

When Fury Road arrived in 2015, it elevated visual storytelling and world-building in a way that redefined the medium. The relentless chase, practical effects, and innovative stunt work reset the standard for action cinema. It was nominated for 10 Oscars, including Best Picture. I don’t think anyone was expecting director George Miller to top Fury Road in the same way (and he doesn’t). However, with Furiosa, he offers a deeper exploration of character.

George Miller plunges further into the desolate landscape of the Mad Max universe, enriching its lore and backstory by exploring characters and settings that enhance the narrative’s complexity and depth. There’s a little more history here about what makes Furiosa tick, shedding light on her early life, motivations, and the events that shaped her personality. I must confess, I find myself scoffing at these efforts to force extraneous details into this series to deepen the emotion. The narrative includes the reason for her mechanical arm and the introduction of a potential love interest named Praetorian Jack (Tom Burke), who assists in her quest. 

The movie presents a vividly realized, dystopian world, a visual spectacle that will leave you in awe.  That means introducing the latest fleet of mutant vehicles of doom. The titular character is largely silent anyway, so it’s up to the cars to speak more loudly than any actor ever could. Dementus rides a chariot pulled by three motorcycles. There are aerial attacks from a motorized hang glider, and a new spectacular War Rig is revealed near the end. It’s all very exciting, a feast for the eyes that will keep you on the edge of your seat.  

This account delivers a visceral experience. Thankfully, director George Miller’s primary focus is to provide action and excitement. Furiosa does rely a lot more heavily on computer-generated imagery. This doesn’t reach the same levels of physicality as any of the previous films, but at least it’s employed in moderation. The picture is still electrifying, and Chris Hemsworth is a fun villain. All in all, I had a good time. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newbie to the franchise, Furiosa offers a thrilling ride that is not to be missed.

05-23-24