REVIEW: FURIOSA - A MAD MAX SAGA

4/5

The Fast and the Furiosa.

148 Mins. Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke, Lachy Hulme, Elsa Pataky, Charlee Fraser & Alyla Browne. Director: George Miller. In: Theatres. 

Furiously stealing the show in the 'Fury Road' of the last 'Mad Max' saga from the great George Miller ('Babe: Pig In The City'), it was reported that the 'Atomic Blonde' gone bald of Charlize Theron didn't get on with Max himself, Tom Hardy. The bane of each other's lives, it's clear that one of those punches, that gave what for to Hardy's jaw, was not pulled. No love appears to be lost, but it's all heart between the portrayers of the titular character in the prolific prequel 'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga'. Just like when Tom had the original 'Mad Max' franchise player Mel Gibson's blessing to go beyond Thunderdome like the late, great Tina Turner.

Spitting out the gas this guzzles in surprise, it's crazy to believe that in this vehicular manslaughter, it's been almost a decade since these warriors last took the road. You can see a highlight package in this film's closing credits, but save your time after, there are no scenes in post. Now, instead of a Hardy boy sequel (which we hope is still in the 'Wasteland' works under the hood), the mastermind Miller's masterpiece that threw Oscars in the trunk now takes it back for an outstanding origin story that crosses the finish line at the same time as its predecessor. Although, 'Fury Road' may take the podium in a photo finish.

It's Miller time again in a film that confirms this is one of Hollywood's greatest cult franchises, similar to how the simians of this summer's 'Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes' did to their own ever underrated, decades in the making series. Going apes### crazy over fists that band the dashboard with fury, this is what Diesel's 'Fast' team wishes they could be, as they're soon to be running out of road. Although this 'Mad Max Saga' does take a tool out of the hijack play book from the original of these fun films, when those government ops team ups used to boost DVD players instead of drive around in circles all the way to the moon. These movies, which were the ruling Aussies' answer to Kurt Russell's  'Escapes' from New York and LA, continue rolling into that rocking guitar god like a flute player in war snaps all his strings.

By George, who, at almost 80 years young, has given us everything from the 'Twilight Zone' movie to 'Happy Feet, they've got it again. Following his fabulous genie in a bottle (Idris Elba), rubbed the right way by Tilda Swinton last year ('Three Thousand Years Of Longing'), Miller gives us another love story, no lite work. But this time it's one in the war for our planet and every starved resource we strip, as this continuing saga holds up a dusty and dirty mirror that's cracked like the very scorched earth itself. Since the original madness took it to the max, there's been many post-apocalyptic films that have played pretend. From 'Death Race' and 'Tank Girl', to Denzel Washington's wonderful 'The Book Of Eli'. But none rewrite and rewire the action set-piece rule book quite like this. This super spin-off really grinds its wheels into the ground of Mother Earth like a motherf#####!

Beyond biblical, bold and beautiful, this almost three-hour epic, told in classic chapter, doesn't introduce us to the star of the show until over an hour into the movie, just like all the Hollywood greats. But once Anya Taylor-Joy ('Split', 'The New Mutants', 'Peaky Blinders') gets behind the wheel, you just know she's pulled up and arrived. After the wonderful work put in by Australian-Estonian actress Alyla Browne ('Three Thousand Years', 'Nine Perfect Strangers' and the daughter of Dr. Robotnik in the forthcoming 'Sonic The Hedgehog 3') as a young Furiosa (with the magnificent mothering of Charlee Fraser), Joy is inspired as the Imperator and lady vengeance herself. 

"I WANT THEM BACK" she demands on this road movie's trailer like she was shouting over a rock song as she puts the charger in drive and goes her own way. The best Anya this side of 'Spy x Family' with a metal arm was even willing to shave her head with a knuckle dusting knife for the role until Miller insisted her barnet was too beautiful. From Princess Peach on 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' and Netflix's massive miniseries 'The Queen's Gambit'. Rubbing oil across her forehead above those eyes, this is the best work to date on 'The Menu' of 'Emma' and the star of 'Last Night In Soho'. Burning with brimstone behind a cross, Taylor-Joy's fury has a lot to bear, though in the Queen's greatest gambit. For sure, you'll remember her.

It's far from a lovely day, or milk run with bottle war boys looking like Nicholas Hoult to boot. He's sadly missing, don't expect any face-to-face cameos, this was a different time to be alive. But the iconic looking Immortan Joe is back with the pre- and post-COVID mask to die for, as the legend of Lachy Hulme takes over from the late, great Toecutter of Hugh Keays-Byrne. The look that is served is so strong, no wonder everyone around him is rubbing their nipples with convenient shirts. Something still as unsettling as some of the graphic and gratuitous violence here. There's also love in times of chaos offered from fellow road warrior Tom Burke ('Mank's' perfectly cast Orson Welles), who has enough track for his own spin-off. 

Yet it's Australia's own God of Thunder Chris Hemsworth, monster truck rolling over his big blockbuster name in the trailer, who threatens to steal the show like Furiosa did from Max. All as his wife, 'Fast and Furious' star Elsa Pataky ('Poker Face') cuts two checks as two characters like the good ole days of movies, or Hugh in a dual role. Now, who do we have here and where is he going, drowning in bullets? Coming with his red cape, realms and chariots of chopper fire like 'Deadpool and Wolverine' are about to send up (LFG), this Summer, Hemsworth looks like Thor again, but this time, before the nose job! With no sign of hope on the road as a truly despicable and demented Dementor, you still ride with him. Ready. Steeady. GOOOOO! In a word: "Magnificent." TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Mad Max: Fury Road', 'Dune: Part Two', 'Deadpool & Wolverine'