Love it or hate it, you have to admire Australian filmmaker George Miller for faithfully carrying on his dystopian “Mad Max” franchise, the first instalment of which was released some 45 years ago.
The 79-year-old’s latest is “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” – a high-octane prequel to 2015’s “Mad Max: Fury Road”, which starred Tom Hardy as Max Rockatansky and Charlize Theron as Furiosa.
In this film, Anya Taylor-Joy, best known for her role in “The Queen’s Gambit”, takes on the mantle of the titular character.
The story begins with a young Furiosa (Alyla Browne) ripped from her peaceful community and finding herself captive under the iron fist of the vicious Dementus (Chris Hemsworth), a warlord who commands a horde of greasy bikers.
As rival tyrants Dementus and the enigmatic Immortan Joe (Lachy Hulme) clash for dominion over the desolate wasteland, Furiosa becomes a crucial pawn in their bloody power struggle.
Haunted by her past and fuelled by a thirst for freedom, Furiosa thus embarks on a perilous journey: one that sees her having to outwit savage warriors, navigate treacherous wastelands, and wrestle with her own haunted memories.
Clocking in at 148 minutes, this is the longest “Mad Max” film yet. Miller takes his time with world building, fleshing out Furiosa’s backstory while potentially setting up future films.
This means, however, that it takes nearly an hour for the movie to kick into high gear with its epic set pieces and heart-thumping chase scenes. Fans of the 2015 film who might be expecting booming engines and post-apocalyptic electric guitar riffs right away will likely end up frustrated and/or disappointed.
Still, when the action does start, it’s a thrill ride. Miller showcases his filmmaking wizardry with adrenaline-filled chase sequences, the camera gliding up and down through the War Rig with exhilarating effect.
At times, the music and action build to a suffocating intensity, but the payoff is worth it.
Of course, Taylor-Joy excels as Furiosa, capable as she is of demonstrating her acting prowess simply through her eyes. With barely any lines, she brings the necessary depth, brokenness and – dare we say – fury to Furiosa.
Hemsworth, meanwhile, injects playfulness and childlike menace into Dementus, an otherwise dangerous and unhinged character. While captivating, his performance sometimes borders on campy, contrasting sharply with Taylor-Joy’s more grounded portrayal.
Some minor characters also lean into campiness, occasionally coming across as oddities.
The film stays true to being a saga, breaking into various chapters to track Furiosa’s journey. While these serve as helpful signposts, they also disrupt the pacing and rhythm of the proceedings.
In “Mad Max: Fury Road,” there is an organic flow between action sequences and quieter moments, forming a compelling narrative that draws audiences in. The chapter approach, alas, has the opposite effect.
Despite these issues, “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” remains a visually stunning and emotionally resonant addition to the franchise.
Miller’s ongoing commitment to his dystopian world is evident, and the film’s blend of explosive action and character-driven storytelling will keep you engaged – providing you get past the slow burn of the first hour.
As of press time, ‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ is screening in cinemas nationwide.