REVIEW: “Mad Max: Fury Road” excels in action and suspense

By Will Bodendorfer,
Bluedevilhub.com Staff–

“Mad Max: Fury Road” is the newest installment of the hit 1980s action series “Mad Max”. While “Fury Road” may be more than 25 years removed from the series’ previous three films, it was well worth the wait.

“Mad Max: Fury Road” takes place in a barren post-apocalyptic world, where essentials like water and oil have become limited. In this desolate wasteland a dictator by the name of Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne) has taken power by holding a monopoly on the water supply. He owns the only water sources left, and as a result, owns the people.

However, two rebels, Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy) and Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) escape along with a band of other defectors and try to restore order and equality in the area. At first, the unlikely duo don’t trust each other, but as their journey drags on they begin to bond together.

Essentially, the film is a 120-minute chase scene with 10 minutes of back story at the beginning. Max, Imperator Furiosa and their rag tag group are on the run from Immortan Joe and his forces for almost the entirety of the movie.

Through intense maneuvers and seemingly nonstop explosions, director George Miller is able to make each minute just as exhilarating as the last. While the idea of one long chase scene in the desert may seem repetitive, “Fury Road” never once experiences a dip in excitement. The immense fight scenes and horrific crashes are unlike anything offered up in other action movies.

Miller also does a great job of incorporating dark humor into the mix to give the viewer a slight break every once in a while from the profound action. The movie has slight moments of silliness amongst the madness, making it easier and less stressful to watch.

While the acting in the film may not be the main focus, almost every actor or actress involved gives a strong performance. Hardy’s character may be a disgruntled, hardened outlaw, yet he still manages to give of the vibe that he’s someone the viewer can feel comfortable cheering for. Theron’s portrayal of Imperator Furiosa is the highlight of the film, as she plays the role of an empowered, intimidating female warrior to perfection.

If a deep storyline and complex relationships are what you’re interested in, then this probably isn’t the movie for you. While most current day action movies try to push a corny love story into the mix, “Fury Road” makes a clear statement: the main focus of the film is the action.

This movie does one thing, and it does it exceptionally well; it keeps viewers on the edge of their seats with endless action and outlandish explosions.