Cinematic abundance - 9/10

by Jad Sammour

Watched on May 23rd, 2024 in IMAX

 

George Miller operates on another level and brings forth a thrilling saga of pure cinematic storytelling.

Popping with sharp visuals and saturated colors (orange and blues) surrounding incredible action sequences that keep getting better, orchestrated to a blood-pumping score, the Furiosa prequel film is a unique spectacle that is captivating from start to finish.

This prequel does everything right. It creates a five-part story that narrates the foundational events that make up Furiosa, the character presented in Mad Max: Fury Road (2015). Led by the sensational Anya Taylor-Joy, who shows up like an hour into the film, Furiosa: a Mad Max Saga relies on minimal dialogue on her part and makes her physicality the medium through which we discover who she is, expressing more than any words can articulate. Anya’s performance is breathtaking and totally transformative. Her character’s journey is well-embodied in her performance and how she evolves throughout the film, leading to her final form in the final chapter. Chris Hemsworth delivers a standout performance that is still undeniably himself, but a superior version of what we’re accustomed to, his humor here makes sense and feels in-character. The supporting cast is phenomenal and everyone plays some bizarre character turned mad by the wasteland. Praetorian Jack played by Tom Burke is a great secondary character who also speaks very few words and makes his presence felt - his character worked really well with Anya’s. The young actress who portrays a younger Furiosa is really good and deepfaking Anya's face over hers makes her really look like a young Anya, making t the switch between them become seamless.

The story is really good and well-written. Although it’s split into 5 parts, it is one continuous narrative that didn’t need the divisions though they added an epic scope and a personal layer to her story. It’s an added effect, fitting for a saga. I really loved the film’s treatment of the theme of vengeance.
The world-building around the characters is very captivating and rich. The politics and economics of the wasteland are explained through the narrative, leaving 0 to no exposition as everything is delivered through organic conversations and thrilling action sequences. 
The film benefits from top-tier action scenes that are elegantly shot and edited and choreographed. You can always follow the action and see what’s happening without annoying close-ups and fast cuts - while still maintaining a chaotic style and war tactics. Some moments benefit from longer takes that accentuate the insanity of the stunts and you are left baffled about how they pulled them off. George Miller has a very dynamic direction style that frees his camera in a very expressive way that pulls you into the story and its emotional beats. I haven’t watched Fury Road in three years so it is hard for me to compare it to Furiosa but I remember Fury Road having more action than the prequel.
The visuals throughout the film are unbelievably beautiful. They’re full of stimulating colors and with compositions that have a sick, deadly apocalyptic poster-like quality; incredible work.

The film’s overall quality and presentation is that of an almost mythical narrative of vengeance, rage, and blood, a woman ripped from her childhood and thrown into the madness of a wild, furious world gone to waste. 

 

 

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