[REVIEW] Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Two action movies have stuck out for me over the past five years. The first was The Raid, then last year’s John Wick, those to me were freak incidents that wouldn’t be topped for years. After John Wick I thought, quietly, well, that’s it for another five years. Won’t see anything like that again. I don’t really know how or why I doubted the God, George Miller – maybe it was a personal worry that his Fury Road looked too outrageous to actually work. Well, I’ve barely slept since catching this movie and all doubts were blown to hell. This movie has left me slack jawed, to the point where I don’t even know if I should be reviewing it so soon after seeing it.
You don’t really need to now much plot-wise, for an animal like this. We’re deep in the post apocalypse and a tyrant, Immortan Joe (played by Hugh Keays-Byrne) begins chasing a leader of a band of scavengers, Imperator Furiosa, after she ‘rescues’ his wives. Joe was keeping the seed flowing, see, since humanity was on its deathbed. Joe and Mad Max, the desolate shell of a man we know, but not the same Max from the original movies, have history, thus Max agrees to assist Furiosa’s crew and make good their escape.
I’ll get some criticisms out of the way first, but don’t worry, they could probably be interpreted as nitpicking. First, I honestly had no serious problem with Tom Hardy replacing Mel Gibson as Mad Max. But his while he is good in the role and someone worse could’ve easily have been cast, Gibson’s Max was superior and this is especially evident if you warmed up recently by watching the older movies. Hardy’s Max is a little more twitchy and unsettled, not reflecting Gibson’s cooler, aloof Max. Some of the flashbacks… also a little out of place. Max’s lost child is now not a baby boy but a teenaged daughter. This is a soft reboot and maybe variation is good, but these are things I would’ve changed.
A lot has been said about a supposed streak of feminism in the movie. But to be honest, apart from Max’s kid being forcibly changed, I was having too much fun to care. Yes, you could probably make the case for it if you want to, but to be honest you’d be stretching it with a movie like this, where everything on the screen is just so kinetic and primal. And really, Max, the former cop, is the pivotal character who more than once ultimately saves the day for bewildered women.
The film is an assault on the senses, George Miller pins you to your chair and slaps you across the face back and forth. But in a good way. The speed is there, you can feel it, and the movie is mostly practical apart from the occasional noticeable greenscreen. When a car is wrecked in this movie, forget it – it’s written off in the real world. This counts for gearheads, we need to smell that gasoline and pungent rubber burning. There are monster trucks, there are black on black Interceptors and there are roaring engines that clearly need an oil top up. There is violence that simply does not belong anywhere outside an ‘R’ rated specification.
After over a decade of watching movies with chase sequences that were so ineptly filmed that I often had to resist the urge to get up and walk out, George Miller shows ’em all how it’s done. This is how real speed and action is put to screen. I feel quite elated and am having an urging desire to see this movie again. But in 2D this time…
I made a mistake upon first viewing this movie. I caught the film in 3D. I was hoping that the experience would, in a sense, fire the movie ‘straight into the veins’ so to speak, that it would amplify everything. Bad move, this post-conversion job is weak and that’s being generous. The film is flat with few scenes actually ‘popping’ and no actual feeling of depth. The final explosion actually looked completely fake and hacked up. Maybe this will look different from a 1080p Blu-Ray 3D angle, but in my experience, if it doesn’t grab you by the neck on the big screen, the problem is irredeemable.
This isn’t the best Mad Max movie ever. Nothing can touch Mad Max 2. And I would’ve preferred a straight sequel, but it’s the best action movie of the year and probably for some time. Nobody films a chase sequence like George Miller, he has restored my confidence in action movies and has made my week. By comparison, Furious 7 looks truly pathetic.
Dave Lloyd
May 15, 2015 at 2:44 pm
Glad you liked it. Personally, I think it destroys 2, in the same way as Evil Dead 2 destroyed Evil Dead.
Manly Movie
May 15, 2015 at 3:36 pm
Yeah after so much cynicism, I really needed Fury Road.
Mucho Macho
May 15, 2015 at 2:53 pm
*Very Good review Mr.Night
Thumbs Up for your review & the film.
I still would have preferred The Great Gibson as Max & actually think the film wouldve been better as a result.
*1 of the things that makes Gibson such a good actor is the fact that he has very expressive eyes & he can say a lot with a look. In certain rules he uses that ability to perfection , Mad Max is an example of that type of acting..In Lethal weapon 1 when Riggs is contemplating suicide there is no dialogue just gibson’s face and a series of emotions. I know movies like Like Lethal weapon never associated it with Oscars but Gibson in that scene was heartbreaking and terrific.
*Fury Road was awesome & Charlize Theron was great. She really did a good job in the movie.
Fuck You Sean Penn
The Night Rider
May 15, 2015 at 4:55 pm
Mel has more charisma, no doubt. They would’ve have let him make it though.
Mucho Macho
May 15, 2015 at 5:45 pm
Yeah i know..
Bastards!
Mucho Macho
May 15, 2015 at 2:57 pm
Sensei Seagal would like all of you to know..
His movies are better
TheOldMcClane
May 16, 2015 at 2:35 am
https://38.media.tumblr.com/5d4c97c60ef42302ad6df3e162e8c3d8/tumblr_n21typDPjd1t8e8rlo1_400.gif
Mucho Macho
May 16, 2015 at 3:10 am
Lol
Sensei says he finds you somewhat amusing
but dont get carried away
Serbius
May 16, 2015 at 11:10 am
http://www.quickmeme.com/img/2c/2c060e6eb806ff59081948a3d5cca5a5819dc9266ac6c6b754dbd016c825ac8f.jpg
Mucho Macho
May 16, 2015 at 1:54 pm
Sensei has many haters.
Sensei says his Fury Road is better
⬇
CyrusTheVirus85
May 15, 2015 at 3:21 pm
I love this movie. A ten for me.
Jacob Phillips
May 15, 2015 at 4:18 pm
Great review… can’t wait to see this baby. Turning the daughter into a teenager does sound stupid, but the history between Max and Joe sounds awesome. There was never any doubt in my mind that this would piss all over those Fast and Furious movies.
Barney Ross
May 15, 2015 at 4:34 pm
OH SHIT YEAH! Great review Knight Rider, i think we should all go and see it in cinema guys!!! This is our chance to bring back old school R rated movies back.
I’m proud of you guys, all we did back on the Expendables 1 and 2 board is paying off now, we should enjoy it and enjoy the bright future for the R rated films.
The Night Rider
May 15, 2015 at 4:54 pm
You’ll like it Barns.
Barney Ross
May 15, 2015 at 7:05 pm
I hope so pal, good job on the review.
Mucho Macho
May 15, 2015 at 5:43 pm
I think you’ll dig it bro
saw it last night
i think might see it again in cinemas
Barney Ross
May 15, 2015 at 7:04 pm
I think i will!!
jim
May 15, 2015 at 4:50 pm
I’ll watch it because I’m sure George Miller hasn’t forgotten how to shoot industrial strength action sequences but I still don’t know what the hell Charleze Theron is doing in it.Not for sex appeal since she looks like shit in the trailer.I get no satisfaction from watching aggressive females and I worry about guys who do. Mel Gibson didn’t need a bit of skirt to help him put down a riot.He did it himself.You’re being re-programmed people.
Mucho Macho
May 15, 2015 at 5:42 pm
Wat up jim!
Give it a chance
it has a lot of old school practical effects. Sure u do have ur CGI, but the film works.
Yes..u can have strong women..but we stronger!! Lol
actually, believe me. Max is needed.i admit i missed Gibson. But Hardy was good. But gibson was better.
when u get a chance to watch it, do & let me know.
& if u still dont like it..
blame Hillary! Lol
jim
May 16, 2015 at 2:36 pm
I’ll checkout the fucker of course but you must admit,the skirt has no business being there..And how do you get past the involvement of the woman who wrote The Vagina Monologues? FIGHT THE POWER MY FRIEND….Look at the trailer for True Detective2..Do we need to see Rachel McAdams running around with a gun and showing her knife-fighting skills.? She should be playing Farrell’s stripper-slut girlfriend. She also looks too cute.They need one of those old school Angie Dickinson showgirl types.You’re being re-programmed….RESIST..
Mucho Macho
May 16, 2015 at 2:43 pm
Lol
u know my mind is only wired 1 way my friend.
good to know the cute Rachel Mcadams knows how to use a knife. She can cut the meatloaf after we have sex
Steve Ward
May 25, 2015 at 2:58 pm
So Ripley and Sara Conner had you ripping the head off it did they?
jim
May 25, 2015 at 3:35 pm
Not quite sure what you’re point is.Alien and Terminator are about the only movies where that girlpower thing works and that was in the early days of anti male re-programming.I still say True Detective 2 will be damaged by having to make room for the gals. I’d sooner keep ’em in the tittie bar scenes where they belong but I’m sure small furry squeaky little beta males like yourself enjoy being bossed about by women I’m sure you’ll love this too:.a scene for scene “Bullitt” rip offhomage would be “ironic subversion” with a twink in the Charger and a girlpower chick in the Mustang..This is from a tv series called Alcatraz courtesy of uber twink hollywood boy wonder JJ Abrahms..You still think you’re not being re-programmed?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFbi6A_ZDOc
Steve Ward
May 25, 2015 at 6:30 pm
Ouch my feelings are sooooo hurt. Nah I’m just confident with myself I don’t need a fictional ditsy lassie on the cinema screen to make me feel all manly. Far as I’m concerned it refreshing not to see a cheesy female character like Mila Jolovanich or Ronda Rousey cart wheeling all over the place.
Probably not had your hole for a good few years so are lashing out at a film as an excuse.
jim
May 25, 2015 at 6:44 pm
Spoken like a true twink.You sound Irish.Enjoying your tranny victory parties?Bet you’re a yes voter.No buyers remorse yet?
Steve Ward
May 25, 2015 at 6:58 pm
Swing and miss on my nationality, congratulations you’re a moron.
jim
May 25, 2015 at 11:04 pm
But I’m right on you being a twink?
Steve Ward
May 26, 2015 at 7:49 pm
Pal if you’re trolling for a bit of ass I think ye’ve mistook what manlymovie.com really means. No wonder you’re upset with the movie. Vernon Wells in his fetish gear flashing his cheeks is what you were after.
jim
May 26, 2015 at 8:56 pm
I was right .You are a twink.Lucky guess on my part wasn’t it?Or maybe you have what card players like to call a “tell”? Keep ’em comin’ ducky.I could use a laugh.
Steve Ward
May 26, 2015 at 8:59 pm
So much sexual frustration. Last time you felt a hole was when your finger ripped the toilet paper.
jim
May 26, 2015 at 9:21 pm
So much anal fixation.Oh dear…You are a bit obsessive aren’t you? Give ’em enough rope……
Steve Ward
May 26, 2015 at 9:23 pm
Space bar. I know it’s hard to type with one hand but give it ago.
jim
May 26, 2015 at 9:29 pm
I know you know.
Steve Ward
May 26, 2015 at 9:40 pm
Fuck sake at least come back with something good sweetness.
jim
May 26, 2015 at 11:44 pm
Don’t you ever get tired of having your head handed to you? You’ve been beaten like a dog and you don’t even know it……and you do get a bit camp when you’re agitated, don’t you?
Steve Ward
May 27, 2015 at 8:41 pm
Head handed to me? Aye pal, you sound solid. Must be the toughest guy in your bedroom.
jim
May 27, 2015 at 9:08 pm
Bitchslapped, if you prefer….and you know it…lame…Now fuck off and don’t be annoyin’ me.
Steve Ward
May 27, 2015 at 10:44 pm
Or what wee sacks? You gonna use some more of your juicy dirty words on me? I’m sure I’ll cope.
jim
May 28, 2015 at 2:36 am
You were told to fuck off. Why are you still here? BTW,Ward is a knackers name ,isn’t it? Can’t be easy, being both a knacker and a twink.
Steve Ward
May 28, 2015 at 9:46 pm
Because you won’t stop flirting with me silly x
jim
May 29, 2015 at 12:18 am
This camp stuff comes easy to you….Just sayin’….
Steve Ward
May 30, 2015 at 11:59 am
No sorry I’m not free this weekend. Maybe some other time.
jim
May 30, 2015 at 1:34 pm
We made a terrible mistake. We told you wretched misfits you were just as good as anyone else and now you actually believe it.
Steve Ward
May 30, 2015 at 1:57 pm
I love it when you talk dirty.
jim
May 30, 2015 at 2:53 pm
You have disgraced yourself again.
guest
May 15, 2015 at 6:41 pm
Just saw it, visually stunning but felt it lacked something, don’t know what. Max was fine, as were the rest of the cast and it had some crazy and funny moments. I’d give it a 7/10. Infinitely better than AoU, though.
Mucho Macho
May 16, 2015 at 1:36 am
It lacked Gibson for me. But a good movie nonetheless
POWERSBOOTHE77
May 15, 2015 at 6:42 pm
Film of the decade ??
The Night Rider
May 15, 2015 at 9:01 pm
Top five action movies of the 2010s.
AlTeo
May 16, 2015 at 4:02 am
IMO the best action film of the decade so far, definitely the first great one of the century. All Hail Lord Miller
Gennady Pavlov
May 15, 2015 at 8:02 pm
Furious 7 is not even in the same league as the masterpiece of the new mad max movie
AlTeo
May 16, 2015 at 5:16 am
Gibson approves, as Lord Miller puts it:
“[Mel] was at the premiere of the movie and I sat next to him. We hadn’t seen each other in a long time. Mel is someone who, in a sense, cannot lie. And he started chuckling during the movie and I thought, There’s that chuckle I remember! Mel kept chuckling and he started digging me in the ribs. . . . He gave me great perspective because he is a great actor, but in the end he is a really great director.”
Source: http://screenrant.com/mad-max-fury-road-mel-gibson-george-miller/
Lt_Cobretti
May 16, 2015 at 10:58 am
I don’t know what I was thinking when I said this was on par with Thunderdome, after seeing it a second time at a bigger and better theatre I’d honestly put this on par with the first film, so only just below the second one. It really is that good, and in this day and age it’s damn near miraculous.
Also I thought it had the best use of 3D since Hugo, so maybe the quality varies from cinema to cinema. Can’t wait to own the 3D blu-ray.
Steve Ward
May 25, 2015 at 2:56 pm
Great review but a lot has been said of this little girl being his daughter. I don’t think she is. One she refers to him as ‘Max’ not Dad and later her mum says. ‘You said you’d help us.’ I really think this is more like some other family he failed to protect rather than his own family.