Filling in a lot of the back story gaps of the 2015 sensation Mad Max: Fury Road – which was a spectacle for its non-stop pedal to the medal action, George Miller’s prequel to the fourth film of the franchise, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024), sets aside some of the thrills (but don’t worry, they are still aplenty) in order to explain more about his post-apocalyptic landscape and his main character at the centre of the story – the titular Furiosa. Rather intriguingly, this screenplay was already written during the filming of Fury Road – it was handed out at the time to help the actors better understand who their characters are and where they came from.
For those of you who have seen the 2015 edition, this narrative will explain how Furiosa (originally Charlize Theron in Fury Road, now the younger version is played by Alyla Browne, the teen version by Anya Taylor-Joy) left the last green and alive paradise in the desert landscape, finding her way to the spot we meet her at in Fury Road. As you might imagine, the only flaw of this story is already understanding where this is all leading to. . . which eliminates some of the tension and suspense.
Nonetheless, Miller expands his world in intriguing ways. Placing Furiosa in this dangerous place from a very young age, she must adapt quickly, be it when falling in with a rogue group of desert driving motorcycle hoodlums led by the Roman Empire inspired Dementus (Chris Hemsworth), or the unforgettable Immortan Joe (Lachy Hulme taking over for Hugh Keays-Byrne who passed away in 2020) ruling from his skull lair from the previous feature.
With no direction bringing safety, as her rather pre-apocalyptic looks – having luminous skin, healthy hair and all her teeth, is much desired by every powerful creep left alive, she must learn to adapt and protect herself to eventually achieve her self imposed mission of returning to the green land she comes from.
Without giving away too much of the story, it must also be noted that at one point Furiosa meets up with oil rig driver Praetorian Jack (Tom Burke – the tv series C.B. Strike), who seems to be a rare individual who doesn’t appear entirely nutso. . . might Furiosa be able to trust in him?
Much like the previous movie, Furiosa is a marvel of action. . . for example, the oil rig action sequence is fifteen minutes of pure adrenaline – a sequence that was shot over an impressive 78 days, with its intricate action featuring so many moving parts, from dangerously below the vehicle, then to behind the wheel, as well as to high above it – making for a true spectacle of film making.
A highly original big blockbuster epic that rarely gets made anymore and deserves to be seen by more people (it was sadly a bit of a bust at the box office), Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga wows thanks to its explosive visuals, stunning performances (with Taylor-Joy doing many of her own stunts and Hemsworth playing a risky, against type character), and solid narrative that connects like a puzzle piece to the 2015 motion picture. It must also be noted that the score written by Tom Holkenborg is a bombastic, over the top modern Wagnerian epic, somehow able to match the onscreen extravaganza beat for beat. . . something not easily achieved. So, don’t be mad, experience this 2024 grandiloquent movie to the very max.