Jacked In Reviews 'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga' (2024)

Before you can get comfy in your (IMAX, obviously) seat, George Miller quickly answers the question raised upon our first viewing of the movie’s trailer “Do you have it in you to make it epic?” with an abso-bloody-lutely. Within the first five minutes, gearheads flee from a “Green Place” and are being pursued by a horseback-riding (then dirtbike-driving), sharpshooting, badass of a mother with a missing kid and thirst for revenge. This is no ordinary helpless child who has been pinched though, she is resourceful and clearly takes after her mother. After all, this isn’t a Mad Max story, this is the story… of Furiosa.

The terrain is dry and endless, separated by the sparse, downtrodden (quite the understatement) societies, intermittent acts of brutality and V8 engines that roar so loud you can almost smell the fumes.

The intense score during the opening chase sequence – and those that follow – supplied by the masterful Tom Holkenborg aka Junkie XL (Fury Road, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice & Deadpool) plays a big part in the more suspenseful segments of this feature and you’re hit with this from the word go. Married to these heart-pounding sounds is everything we love about Miller’s post-apocalyptic universe. The terrain is dry and endless, separated by the sparse, downtrodden (quite the understatement) societies, intermittent acts of brutality and V8 engines that roar so loud you can almost smell the fumes.

Unlike Fury Road which took place in a condensed (and very intense) time frame, Furiosa sees the story of said character take place over many years, from a child, to pretty much where we saw her in the last instalment.

Anya Taylor-Joy brings a no-nonsense grit to the role giving the character the credit she deserves and doing her origin some serious justice.

Although each person who steps into Furiosa’s shoes throughout her life nails what a badass she was from the start, Anya Taylor-Joy brings a no-nonsense grit to the role giving the character the credit she deserves and doing her origin some serious justice. Certainly not forgetting Alyla Browne who carries the character tremendously for the first third of the saga. During a time when filmmakers seem heavily reliant on de-ageing, one can only be thankful that the pendulum appears to be swinging back to giving other actors opportunities for younger portrayals.

We do see some familiar faces in this prequel, including the infamous War Boys, a slightly younger Immortan Joe (this time played by Lachy Hulme who gives a perfect rendition) and a very brief wide of Max himself that still manages to send chills. Nevertheless, the antagonist and show stealer of this chapter in Furiosa’s life is easily the draconian Dementus (Chris Hemsworth).

Known mainly for his roles as a heroic hunk, Hemsworth uses this to his advantage creating a false sense of security before delivering one of his most despicable roles to date… and absolutely nails it.

Known mainly for his roles as a heroic hunk, Hemsworth uses this to his advantage creating a false sense of security before delivering one of his most despicable roles to date… and absolutely nails it. A man with a Roman Empire complex, Dementus takes everything he can (including lives) for personal gain and gives nothing back but false promises and that underlying feeling that makes your skin crawl.

The obvious reliance on CGI compared to that of its predecessor does cause the heart to sink here and there slightly.

To compare this instalment to Fury Road would almost be doing it a diservice as – with a more episodic approach – that is not what this movie is trying to be. Regarding the visuals, it is great to “witness” that unique style again for the first time since 2015 but the obvious reliance on CGI compared to that of its predecessor does cause the heart to sink here and there slightly.

However, in terms of overall entertainment, this is a fun-fuelled, freight train from start to finish. Although the increase in CG dependence may be apparent, one thing is for sure, no shot in this entire movie is wasted. From dramatic images of severed hands and hypnotically erratic close-ups to astonishing set pieces and action-packed chases, every inch feels perfectly orchestrated. This is all accomplished in a way that only the master that is Miller knows how in this, cinematically epic, post-apocalyptic, revenge-o-matic.