Mad Max: Fury Road Review
I also don’t like to give away anything in movie reviews. So if you keep reading, what's next is a spoiler free paragraph on what I think. Then the trailer.
Below the trailer THERE BE SPOILERS. You are warned!
Mad Max: Fury Road is the most bonkers Hollywood movie I’ve seen in recent memory. Actual stunts from both man and machine, real explosions, and batguano insanity makes every action movie in recent memory look like a crappy video game. Visual violence and energy like nothing you’ve seen in years. If you like action movies, go right now.
OK, SPOILERS AFTER THE TRAILER.
Mad Max: Fury Road is unlike any Hollywood movie I can think of that's come out in decades, in so many ways. The obvious is there are actual vehicles doing actual stunts actually getting blown up. Shocking. When was the last time you saw that? Sure there’s some CG, but there is so much practical effect awesomeness that the CG actually blends in.
Take by comparison, well, literally every other action movie from the last 15 years.
If all you’re looking for is explosions, fire, and punches, you will not be disappointed. On that simple level, it succeeds admirably.
It’s also flat out shocking that you can actually see what’s happening. In an era of atrocious framing (Michael Bay), shaky cam (Paul Greengrass), or just mediocre direction (Michael Bay again), it’s mind-blowing to be able to actually see what’s going on. It’s epic action filmmaking with an art and style that seemed to die out in the 90s. George Miller and cinematographer John Seale have put every action movie of recent memory to shame. Boring, pathetic shame. You’ll leave the theater thinking “why isn’t every action movie that good”.
Perhaps more fascinating is that it’s also a lot more.
For one thing, its structure is unlike pretty much any movie you’ve seen. You could force-fit a sort of 3-act structure to it, but that’s not how it flows.
It is, basically, a two hour chase scene. Unrelenting in its pace, save for a few moments of dialog to move the plot a bit. These are inserted less, it seems, to clarify, and more to give the audience a moment to breathe.
Not only is it all very intense, but they kill a LOT of main characters. So many, that by the end you’re not sure if any of them are going to live. I wouldn’t have been surprised, given how it was going, if every main character was dead at the end and George Miller himself appeared, literally dropped a mic, and walked off screen.
But even that isn’t the impressive part. It’s a big budget and epic action movie… about and driven (pun intended) by women. Max is there, certainly, but only at one point does he do anything to really effect the plot. That’s incredible. Unprecedented?
There's a LOT that happens in the movie that Max is merely there for. Barely an active participant. The active roles and decisions are all made by women. Usually by Charlize Theron’s character Furiosa, who is not only every bit Max’s equal, but basically the actual protagonist of the film. In other scenes he helps, sure, but his role could have been replaced by any strong, actiony violent type (Brienne of Tarth, say).
Hmmm, don't move the plot and are easily replaceable THIS IS HOW WOMEN ARE IN NEARLY EVERY ACTION MOVIE. How's that for a change?
It’s amusing that MM:FR, a movie ostensibly about a male anti-hero, handily passes the Bechdel Test. Yet Avengers 2, written by a man who popularized several strong female characters, effectively does not. For all its hype and budget, A2 is a mess and while fun, practically breaks under its own weight. MM:FR is visually, and mentally, more interesting, despite its seemingly simpler plot and structure.
One reviewer pointed out (I can't find the review at the moment), that it’s Theron’s character’s anger, hate, emotion, and drive that pushes the movie forward, a perfect counterpoint to Max’s misanthropy and selfishness.
So it’s no wonder that the pathetically misguided “Men’s Rights Activists” (don’t Google it, life’s too short and your brain will hurt at the stupidity) absolutely hate this movie, as it features strong female characters standing up for themselves and kicking ass.
MM:FR all works together wonderfully, and is about as good way to spend 2 hours as I can imagine right now.
Bottom Line
So with all this said, does that mean I think Mad Max: Fury Road is the best movie ever ever and ever. No. It’s not perfect, certainly. There were a few parts that I rolled my eyes at. But it's so over-the-top insane that I loved it and it's easily best action movie I've seen in years. I can't wait to see it again.