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George Miller expands the action fable by 15 years in 148 minutes. A maximum extension with minimal added value.
Who do you think of when you hear the name “Mad Max”? Most people still have Mel Gibson in their minds eye. The two-time Oscar winner finally launched his film career with the action hit at the end of the 70s. In the 80s, the Australian played the taciturn Max Rockatansky two more times before his creator George Miller put the End Times series on hold.
30 years later, Miller, who in the meantime had directed children’s films like “Happy Feet”, brought the crazy dystopia back to life – and how! “Mad Max: Fury Road” not only blew genre fans away with its expressive imagery. The fourth part of the series grossed $380 million, won six Oscars and is considered a milestone in action cinema.
A woman accelerates
In Mel Gibson’s absence, a new female character stole the show from Mad Max: Furiosa, a one-armed, bald-headed feminist fighter, played by Charlize Theron. In 2015, George Miller created a heroine who aroused curiosity.
Since the plot of “Fury Road” only covered three days and two nights, Furiosa’s background remained obscure. It’s exactly this gap that Miller wants to fill with his fifth Mad Max film.
Legend:
She still had her arm and hair: Anya Taylor-Joy as a young street fighter in “Furiosa”.
WARNER BROS.
So “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” is one Prequel: The latest part of a film series that tells a prequel story. “Furiosa” describes this Origin story the title character: How she became the defensive lady that the audience knows from “Fury Road”. The film begins with her kidnapping as a child and ends exactly where “Fury Road” begins.
Does anyone miss Mad Max?
The emphasis on seamless continuity is nice, but actually wasn’t necessary. Especially since the unmistakable visual design makes it clear from the very first moment where we are: It is the same brown-red desert world that caused pleasant unease nine years ago. The only new thing is the cast: Anya Taylor-Joy takes on Furiosa’s part, while Chris Hemsworth finally gets to shine as the villain.
Legend:
Hardly recognizable: “Thor” actor Chris Hemsworth as the villain Dr. Denial.
WARNER BROS.
Mad Max plays no role in “Furiosa,” which, interestingly enough, hardly bothers anyone. Especially since Praetorian Jack, a daring driver, joins Furiosa’s side over the course of the film and seems like an echo of the absent hero.
In general, the impression that you are on familiar territory dominates. Quite a few scenes could just as easily come from “Fury Road”. “Furiosa” expands the narrative radius by 15 years, but visually it largely follows familiar paths.
Maximum expansion, minimum insight
If you put all the films in the Mad Max series side by side, the growing running length is what catches the eye. Each sequel exceeds the scope of its predecessor. At two hours and 28 minutes, “Furiosa” is an hour longer than part one of the saga.
Reduced to the max? That was once… Nowadays, Miller seems to be sticking to a Hollywood maxim: more of the same is more.
Legend:
With undiminished drive on the set: director George Miller, who turns 80 next year.
WARNER BROS.
There is still hardly any speaking: Anya Taylor-Joy as the main character only had 30 lines of text. Words are always secondary to George Miller. “Furiosa” is an energetic genre film with which Miller expands his crazy world without reinventing it. And in which – unlike the groundbreaking action opera “Fury Road” – it is clear from the start where the journey is going.
Cinema release: May 22, 2024