Xtreme Vogue London Desk: Judith Benjamin
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (English) Review {2.5/5} & Review Rating
Star Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Alyla Browne
Director: George Miller
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga Movie Synopsis:
FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA is the story of a woman out to take revenge. A young Furiosa (Alyla Browne) resides in a place called ‘Green Place’, which is an oasis of sorts in the middle of a desert region. A biker gang sneaks into the Green Place. They kidnap Furiosa and take her to their warlord, Dementus (Chris Hemsworth). Furiosa’s mother Mary (Charlee Fraser) infiltrates into Dementus’ camp and takes away Furiosa. But Dementus and his men catch Mary and kill her. Furiosa is taken back. The biker who caught Furiosa told Dementus that she belongs ‘to a place of abundance’. Furiosa refuses to divulge the location of it and she also slits the throat of the biker. Dementus, hence, decides to locate the place himself. On the way, he comes across the Citadel, run by Immortan Joe (Lachy Hulme). Assuming that his own army is stronger, Dementus tries to take over the Citadel but is overpowered. He runs away. However, he manages to capture Gastown. Immortan Joe allows Dementus to run Gastown and in exchange, he asks for Furiosa, seeing her as a breeder to give birth to a full-life child. All have hidden motives – Dementus wants to take over the Citadel and the other fortress of the Wasteland, The Bullet Farm. Immortan Joe can’t wait to defeat Dementus. Furiosa (Anya Taylor-Joy), meanwhile, grows up and wants to kill Dementus and go back to her home. What happens next forms the rest of the film.
Story Review:
George Miller and Nico Lathouris’ story is imaginative and gives an idea of the events that happened before the events in MAD MAX: FURY ROAD [2015]. George Miller and Nico Lathouris’ screenplay is a mixed bag. While a few scenes are exceptionally written, the script also has some loose ends. The dialogues add to the fun and drama.
George Miller’s direction is great. It’s always a challenge to make a prequel, that too, of a classic film. After all, one might predict what will happen next since they have seen what the future holds for the characters. In this regard, the veteran filmmaker comes out with flying colours. He keeps one engaged and adds a lot of gripping and unexpected moments that keep the interest going. The beginning scene is outstanding and sets the mood. A few scenes, as expected, are heroic and clap-worthy.
On the flipside, the film goes on a high in the beginning and the later portions don’t reach to that level. There are gaps in the narrative that hamper the impact. For instance, Furiosa turns into a war boy and it seems like Immortan Joe never got a clue about it. Didn’t he try to search for her, especially when she was so precious to him? Dementus taking over the Bullet Farm also seems far-fetched and moreover, it’s not even depicted. Lastly, the climax doesn’t give one a kick.
Movie Performances:
Anya Taylor-Joy is apt for the part and impresses with her no-nonsense avatar and looks. She, however, has a late entry and Alyla Browne also deserves a mention for playing the young Furiosa perfectly. Chris Hemsworth essays an over-the-top character. But he performs it convincingly and adds a lot to the narrative. Tom Burke (Praetorian Jack) is impressive in a supporting role. Lachy Hulme leaves a mark. Charlee Fraser shines. Nathan Jones (Rictus), Josh Helman (Scrotus) and John Howard (The People Eater) are okay. Angus Sampson (Mechanic) is wasted.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga music and other technical aspects:
Tom Holkenborg’s music is exhilarating. Simon Duggan’s cinematography is stunning and gives the film a big-screen appeal. Colin Gibson’s production design is in sync with the MAD MAX world. The same can also be said for Jenny Beavan’s costumes. The action is entertaining but after a point, it gets repetitive. Eliot Knapman and Margaret Sixel’s editing is appropriate. Though the film is 145 minutes long, it never gets boring.
Conclusion:
On the whole, FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA rests on the action, big-screen appeal and the performances of Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth. However, the script has loose ends and hence, it doesn’t reach the level of the earlier film, MAD MAX: FURY ROAD. At the box office, the limited buzz and adults-only rating might affect the collections.
