Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga REVIEW: Anya Taylor-Joy brings to life the story of survival and defiance with perfection; Chris Hemsworth is a menace

Film:
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

Director: George Miller

Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Alyla Browne, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke, Lachy Hulme, Nathan Jones, Josh Helman, Charlee Fraser

Runtime: 148 minutes (2 hours 28 minutes)

Platform: In theatres

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga Review

George Miller is back to the post-apocalyptic wasteland with Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. The just-released high-on-action prequel explores the origins of one of the franchise’s most compelling characters – Furiosa. Anya Taylor-Joy and Alyla Browne step into the shoes of the titular character (originally portrayed by Charlize Theron) and deliver captivating performances. Also starring Chris Hemsworth and Tom Burke in pivotal roles, the film takes fans on a gripping journey filled with loads of action, emotions and heartbreak.

But is the film worth watching? Read our Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga review to know the answer.

What’s Works

Anya Taylor-Joy and Alyla Browne’s raw, but captivating rendition of Furiosa leaves a mark on the minds of the audience. The film’s screenplay, action sequences, musical score, cinematography and performances by all cast members make the two-and-a-half hours film a fun and immersive watch 

What Doesn’t Work

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga could have had better effects and lighting – it’s too dark at times. The film also lacks when it comes to maintaining a steady pace and makes time move slow at certain points.

Technical Aspects

Direction

George Miller has masterfully navigates the situation and challenges presented in the film. The 79-year-old director treats Furiosa like a standalone origin story letting the titular character shine and not stay buried in the shadows of the hero from his former films. The film – which talks about the tragic but powerful story of Furiosa becoming a fierce warrior has a heart and soul that many characters in the wastelands are missing.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga Story

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga talks about the events that took place years before the incidents shown in Mad Max: Fury Road and captures the titular character’s journey into becoming Imperator Furiosa. The narrative tells the story of her capture, becoming an orphan and escaping different captors, as well as her rise to become a force that takes down Immortan Joe and (kind of) brings salvation to the people of the Citadel.

The tragic but powerful story – which is set in a time when there’s extreme heat and a lack of clean water, food, and compassion, is emotional even though its characters are mainly devoid of emotions. With tons of betrayal, self-centeredness, menace, and ego, the film seems to be predicting the future.

Screenplay & dialogues

The actioner strikes a balance between its action sequences and storytelling letting the shine for several reasons. The film’s gripping storyline – it takes unexpected twists, character arcs and world, aka captivating sets, make it a fresh screenplay that holds one attention. However, the pace of the narrative moves slowly at times. The dialogues are okay and nothing out of the blue. It lacks lustre.

Editing

The editing by Margaret Sixel and Eliot Knapman is impressive as the film – despite being 2-and-a-half-hour long doesn’t seem boring. There are no scenes one will call useless or unnecessary. The duo have successfully managed to keep the gory scenes to a minimum in a post-apocalyptic world and that’s commendable

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga Star Performances

Anya Taylor-Joy delivers a captivating performance with remarkable ease, intensity and conviction. She beautifully brings forth the vulnerability and fierce determination of young Furiosa. Besides Anya, Alyla Browne also delivers a mind-blowing performance as the just captured Furiosa who is willing to go to any extent to survive the brutality she is witnessing and suffering while attempting to fulfil a promise she made to her mother. 

Chris Hemsworth is a menace as Dementus, the warlord leader of the Biker Horde which abducted Furiosa. He is a ‘macho’ man who at times will get your BP (blood pressure) rising with his stupidity and self-centeredness.  Tom Burke as Praetorian Jack – the principal commander of the Citadel’s military forces, has an impactful role in the post-apocalyptic actioner. However, we wish he had some more screen time and a better end. 

Lachy Hulme as Immortan Joe, Nathan Jones and Josh Helman as Joe’s sons Rictus Erectus and Scabrous Scrotus, respectively, and Angus Sampson as The Organic Mechanic, Joe’s physician all essay their roles with dedication. Charlee Fraser’s performance as Mary Jo Bassa – Furiosa’s mother, is very limited but manages to remain in one’s mind till the very end.

Conclusion

If you are a fan of the Mad Max universe, watch Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga in theatres to be transported into the post-apocalyptic wasteland and experience the immersive journey of Furiosa as she goes from being a captive child deprived of childhood to an adult seething with rage and revenge.

Watch the trailer of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga here

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