Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

24.5.2024, PG-16, 2h 28min

Yes indeed, Furiosa from “Mad Max Fury Road” is simply awesome, at least as bad-ass as Alien’s Ripley. Plus, the cast alone makes this movie a must-watch anyway. Still – please, you movie makers out there, please stop this prequel-nonsense!! The only “prequels” I still might be interested in would be starring Han Solo and Chewbacca, based on 1980-novels …

The plot: As the world fell, young Furiosa is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into the hands of a great Biker Horde led by the Warlord Dementus. Sweeping through the Wasteland they come across the Citadel presided over by The Immortan Joe. While the two Tyrants war for dominance, Furiosa must survive many trials as she puts together the means to find her way home.

And yes, Furiosa almost completely lived up to expectations. Almost. For me the opening monologue felt a bit too real, maybe we’re not that far away from a “Mad Max” world anymore… Later it felt that some of the momentum was lost when the background of various franchise standards was explored in more detail – a bit too much detail and backstory for me… and I could have done without some of those disgusting moments, too. But then the plot, Furiosa herself and the breathtaking action will be mesmerising you again quickly. In other words, tighten it up a bit here and there to shave off about 10 minutes, and you have the perfect 10/10 Mad Max Fury Road prequel movie (and my bladder would appreciate a tiny bit less, too).

About the cast: Anya Taylor-Joy has left her mark with “The Witch” already and convinces fully as Furiosa before “Fury Road”. Chris Hemsworth plays a brilliantly ruthless motorbike gang leader – a multi-layered manic warlord who I just couldn’t really hate as a villain. Am I too Thor-ised now, is Immortan Joe just so much more evil in comparison, or is Mr Hemsworth actually a fantastic actor who can bring dignity, depth and humanity to any cartoon character (SIC)?

All in all – both films receive the same score – and both are absolutely worth a visit to the cinema.

Director: George Miller
Script: George Miller, Nick Lathouris
Cast:
Anya Taylor-Joy – Furiosa
Chris Hemsworth – Dr. Dementus
Tom Burke – Praetorian Jack
Alyla Browne – Young Furiosa
Lachy Hulme – Immortan Joe
etc