MAD MAX: Fury Road; an excitable no-spoiler review

I’m chuffed to say a lot of my friends were waiting on this review of Mad Max: Fury Road from me. Its the biggest compliment in the world when someone tells me how they’re waiting to hear about what I think about something, because it will either make their mind up, or change it entirely. I mean. THAT POWER.

Before I begin; don’t ask me too much about the first three films, made by George Miller thirty years ago. Not that its ‘before my time’ or it may have come out when I was about four; good films are timeless. I can’t even necessarily say I liked the first three. Have I seen them all? I’m not sure. Do I know which song Tina Turner sang for the third film? Absolutely.

Having said that; the trailers had me wary. Not in the way that I scowl any time I see mention of BIrdman; more because the trailers made anyone with eyes and ears know this film wouldn’t be gentle. It was the tension of a horror film trailer; where it just felt so uncomfortable. I mean this wasn’t easing anyone into a post apocalyptic setting, nuh uh!

I had to write a few bullet points post movie watching last week just to get the chrome out of my head. I mean, noise!

A few tidbits immediately after the movie that didn’t have me like stunned cat photos >

• This film made me want to go back to study movies. It took me to CHURCH.
• This made me appreciate the fact that I can dig an action movie, be frightened of it but still find such heart in it - considering I can’t relate at all. I don’t even drive!
• The action and cinematography was eye widening. It was heart racing. It was unlike anything I’d seen (ever? In a very long time? . There are road movies…and then there are ROAD movies where the action takes place on moving ‘vehicles’. They are not 4 wheel drives you see through the city. War rigs !

Generally I like a movie that’s quotable. Quotes are easier to associate with the scenes, and bring me back into the moment, where I’ve immersed myself in the world. But here, dialogue is so scarce, not wasted and you need to catch your breath. Hell; there were moments where Miller fades to black for 3 seconds, and in that screening, the crowd audibly taking a breath was memorable. You never want an action movie to be too ‘talky’. You need that balance. Even here; there is far more action than dialogue, and in some cases you’d think that may take away from the heart of the story, or the plausibility of the world created on screen. NOPE. Don’t even worry about that.

Bloody hell by the time Max even reveals his name; its such a breath taking moment.. so simple, yet not remotely a ‘catch phrase’.

Every action set piece isn’t over explained or simplified. They just get on with it because I don’t know, they have to survive. There are no niceties, and no true hierarchy but if you are on the wrong side of one; you won’t last. Even childbirth ain’t pretty. *shudders*

Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron are sublime. Phenomenal. There’s no point in comparing them, or worrying about who is the ‘main character’ or unfortunately as someone I know said ‘gets to have their own car’.. well, thing is you forget that he was Bane in the Dark Knight Rises, or that she ever played a real life serial killer. They are Max Rockatansky and Imperator Furiosa. (My surname is now Furiosa-ntos, just quietly)

The warriors aren’t perfect; they’re barely surviving themselves. There seems to be quite the routine just to get Immortan Joe ready to speak in public (via a YT video I watched; he was described as Skeletor meets Darth Vader) When we see the indominatable and ‘musical’ war boys; they are really short tempered for a reason.

Nicholas Hoult who surpasses anything he’s ever done before, including being Jennifer Lawrence’s boyfriend plays ‘Nux’ and he’s ill. He still has ambition. He still wants to drive. And he’s got chapped lips like he needs a bucket of lip balm; even the war boys don’t get a lot of water. But he’s just.. amazing in the drive he shows, despite not being a great representative of a war boy. That’s only just PART of the beauty of the film.

Much has been said about Mad Max not being the main character. About this being the best feminist action movie in years. (Ever?) About Charlize Theron just being kick ass without being so kick ass- she becomes masculine, and therefore palatable for a misogynistic male viewer. Even when you have characters that include international models such as Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Megan Gale; thinking that would diminish the credibility of the film would be an easy mistake. Don’t be that person. Don’t be.

Just go. (Heck; I feel as if this review can’t be truly ‘complete’ because I will be viewing it at *least* 2 more times)

Have you seen it yet? Once? More than once? If you haven’t – and I’ve helped change your mind – take a friend, get a big tub of popcorn, ENJOY. This is the best damn true to the word action film you’ll have seen in a while.