Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga 2024
“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” differs from its predecessors in the “Mad Max” franchise in several important ways. Clocking in at 2 hours and 28 minutes, the film boasts an ambitious narrative spanning 15 years, moving away from the three-day time frame of “Mad Max: Fury Road.” It traces the origin story of Imperator Furiosa through five chapters, each with titles such as “Pole of Inaccessibility.” The movie featured an expansive cast of thousands, depicting deranged gangster bikers armed with rusty weapons and displaying rotting teeth, creating a vivid and immersive world reminiscent of a Wasteland Woodstock.
However, unlike previous “Mad Max” films where action dominated the screen, “Furiosa” takes a different approach. While it still offers thrilling action moments, director George Miller seems more focused on world-building than traditional road-warrior action sequences, allowing for a deeper exploration of the film’s setting and characters.
The key thing about “Furiosa” is that while it possesses an impressive darkness, it may not ultimately achieve the status of a definitive “Mad Max” success. There’s no denying the potential for passionate defense and sparks of adoration, yet for me, it doesn’t quite hit the mark as a great “Mad Max” win. George Miller’s deep investment in the “Mad Max” mythos is clear, but sometimes it feels like he’s simultaneously competing with it and deconstructing it. There was a temptation to rename the film “Mad Miller: Beyond Asunder Dome”, reflecting the director’s immersion in the franchise’s universe and also breaking its rules.
Many of us have a deep affinity for the “Mad Max” films, considering them among the greatest cinematic works. Back in the early ’80s when there were only two films in the series, I found myself captivated by them, repeatedly watching them on the big screen. I often played a personal game of film critique, pondering which “Mad Max” film held greater significance.
The original “Mad Max” from 1979 was a revelation, with director George Miller’s groundbreaking use of camera-mounted-at-bumper-level shots creating a visceral drive-in movie experience. Starring Mel Gibson in iconic black leather, the film depicted a family man’s clash with the Toecutter, a character akin to a Shakespearean-scripted, psychotic Hell’s Angel.
Then there’s “The Road Warrior,” Miller’s 1982 sequel, which transported the frenetic energy of the original film to a future wasteland overrun by flamboyant marauders. Its relentless pace and dystopian setting amplified the series’ themes of survival and chaos.
Both films have left an indelible mark on audiences, each offering a unique blend of action, drama, and dystopian imagination. Deciding which is superior is a matter of personal preference, as both films stand as masterpieces in their own right.
While many consider “The Road Warrior” to be superior, “Mad Max” possessed a raw, B-movie charm. Deciding which is the greatest “Mad Max” film was part of the enjoyment, as each had its own merits.
Miller’s “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome” was a threequel with highlights like Tina Turner and the Thunderdome showdown. However, it veered into a bloated Jungian fairy tale about “saving the children,” detracting from its impact. Though not terrible, it left the series feeling exhausted.
It seemed that “Mad Max” and “The Road Warrior” were too spectacular in their nihilism to sustain further extensions. Miller had crafted two unparalleled action films and moved on to new projects.
However, this was not the conclusion of the story. In a landscape where recycled intellectual property abounds, “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015) defied expectations. Released three decades later, it breathed new life into the franchise with unparalleled energy, evoking memories of “Beyond Thunderdome” with its breathtaking chaos. At its core was Charlize Theron’s powerful Furiosa, a heroine similar to Mel Gibson’s Max. The film lived up to its title, moving with such velocity that viewers had to recalibrate their senses to keep up with their frantic micro-edits. Yet, once in tune with its rhythm, the dark fascination of the “Mad Max” universe resurfaces. It was a cinematic triumph, a desert odyssey that ranked alongside the original two films, possibly cementing its place as the third greatest action film ever made..