Thunderous motorbikes, Chris Hemsworth, and a post-apocalyptic desert setting starts the wildly chaotic “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” directed by George Miller.
Our heroine, Furiosa, is ruled by revenge; the story tells the saga of her troubled history. Newly minted star Ana Taylor Joy plays Furiosa as the full on raging badass: she is steely eyed with burning determination. Alyla Browne as the young Furiosa is luminous. Chris Hemsworth, moving on from Marvel’s “Thor,” is terrific as the perfectly named Dementus, the magnetic but cruel leader who chatters endlessly.
The visuals are extraordinary, non-stop and jaw dropping. At a recent press screening, the ‘fan boys’ aka grown men, lamented that it was too much CGI for them. Comparing it to the ‘masterpiece’ they explained that was Miller’s “Mad Max: Fury Road’” — a multiple Oscar winner. With that said, they were still massive fans of this film.
The plot points do coalesce in a seamless way. Kudos to the cinematographer, Simon Duggan, for his otherworldly, extraordinary visuals. The composer Tom Holkenborg’s score is grand and powerful. George Miller’s vision and his unique style of filmmaking is what he does so well and so differently from anyone else. He has a specific voice which appeals to a worldwide audience. Action packed Miller’s dystopian take is precise, and sprawling.
The “Mad Max” franchise has made over 540 million, with “Fury Road” being by far the most successful. Will “Furiosa” beat that? Who knows? But this film, with its non-stop madness and mayhem, is mighty compelling. Epic, chaotic and over the top “Furiosa” is a mayhem filled, perfect popcorn escapist movie!
