Details From Mad Max: Fury Road Test Screening

If you read the site yesterday you’ll remember that little whisper that a test screening was going to take place for Mad Max: Fury Road in Los Angeles.  Our source also suggested that the passes/invites hinted at a PG-13 rating.  Both of these were true.

The movie was shown last night.

Although most of this is supposed to be hush hush, think of us as the ‘Tony Pope’ of manly movie news – the people have a right to know!  Anyway, the movie was screened at the AMC Burbank 16 at 7pm PST, invites were sent out privately, obviously, for select individuals aged between 13-54 with the former children being +1.  Several reports have been circulating now on social media with some brief bits from our viewer as well.  They are as follows;

Firstly, the movie is set between Mad Max and Mad Max 2, so finally the debate about whether or not this movie is a reboot has been settled.  The movie is not strictly a sequel, prequel or sidequel.  Think of it as something that fits, but really doesn’t acknowledge, but is still canon.  Almost like Romero’s synchronization methods for his Dead movies but with more references for hardcore fans.  ‘Dog’, the BOB V8 Pursuit Special, the grey streak of hair, the knee brace… these are all there.

The movie ran for around 125 minutes in its current form and is described as Mad Max 2 ‘on steroids’.  The action is said to be gritty, brutal and almost nonstop – the whole movie is one giant chase sequence.  There are stunts aplenty and all of them are practical.  If CGI was used, they did a good job covering its tracks.  Supposedly, the movie went down very well.  For a test screening it was a success – but I wouldn’t go further than that from what I’m reading.

Lastly… the rating.  Odd reports here.  First there is no official ‘cuts’ yet or classification.  But it is all but confirmed that what was shown was intended for a PG-13 audience. However all are saying that the movie is comparatively brutal.  I’m not sure what to think about that.  I think it’s quite possible, especially considering how positive word is right now, that George Miller has made a good sequel to the first two.  By the way, George Miller was present at the screening.

That’s all we have for now.  For those interested, the timeline as it looks right now:

1) Mad Max
2) Mad Max: Fury Road
3) Mad Max 2
4) Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, 20 years after Mad Max 2
5) Mad Max: The Video Game, 35 years after Fury Road