Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Well, that was exhilarating.

Honestly, Mad Max: Fury Road might be the most fun I've had at the movies in quite some time. I spent the last couple weeks catching myself up on George Miller's action franchise after seeing how well Fury Road was doing critically. Long story short, the original films are now some of my favorite action movies.

Flash forward thirty years, and Miller is back at it again, making the fourth Mad Max film. Without Mel Gibson. Skeptical?

Don't be. If there's one thing George Miller knows how to do, it's direct an action film. Save for ten minutes in Beyond Thunderdome, he made three action films that centered around the action. In today's world, most action films try to go for emotional depth and complex scenarios only to drag themselves down with unnecessary clutter. While Fury Road does add narrative heft and some emotional backstory, it augments the action and doesn't distract from it.

The one complaint I have with Miller's approach in doing this is that it can leave the viewer somewhat confused about who people are, what they are doing, and why they are doing it. This is a hallmark of the Mad Max franchise, for better or for worse. The most prominent example I can think of in Fury Road is the main villain. I loved his look, I loved his voice, and I loved the character all around, but I can't for the life of me remember the guy's name!

Speaking of the villain, let's talk about the look of this film. Miller's franchise has gone from understated and simple with the first film to progressively more grotesque and strange as the budgets have increased. The third of the original films, Beyond Thunderdome, had a budget of approximately $20 million with today's US dollar value. Fury Road has a budget over nine times that. Needless to say, it is by far the most glamorous of the franchise. It largely retains the aesthetic present in the first three films while adding a lot of new, cool stuff possible with modern technology. The CG present is really well done; however, the practical stunt effects are what steal the show. Miller himself said that 90% of the effects were practical. This adds a realism and heightens the suspense during the absolutely jaw-dropping stunt sequences. My favorite part of Miller's direction is how he manipulates the frame rates to make the action remain coherent or seem slightly less so. That single thing made the film incredibly unique and quite fun to watch.

Moving to the acting, Tom Hardy is an excellent replacement for Mel Gibson. Most people say that acting doesn't really matter in action films. That's garbage. When someone as talented as Tom Hardy does any role, it's noticed. He really embodies the chaos going on inside Max's head and also that stark coldness that Gibson brought to the character. Charlize Theron is also a good choice for Furiosa, as she shows the more caring nature that her character brought to the film.

Overall, Mad Max: Fury Road is the breath of fresh air that action films need in 2015. Most in the genre are either old, worn out franchises (Live Free or Die Hard, Terminator Genisys, etc.) or featuring old, worn out actors (The Expendables). George Miller expertly crafts a film that looks both back and forward at the same time, retaining the unique aesthetic of the original films while also integrating new technology that makes the stunts that much more exciting. Fury Road is a non-stop thrill ride that will entertain almost any moviegoer with its intensity and technicality.

My recommendation: Buy it. 
Grade: 91

Summary: Featuring a hefty story and masterful direction from George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road is a breath of fresh air for action films with its unique aesthetic and complex, intricate practical stuntwork.