“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” (2024)

Action

Running Time: 148 minutes

Written by: George Miller and Nico Lathouris

Directed by: George Miller

Featuring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke and Alyla Browne

Dementus: “You fabulous thing. You crawled out of a pitiless grave, deeper than hell. Only one thing that is going to do that for you. Not hope. Hate. No shame in hate. It’s one of the greatest forces of nature.”

Critical Commentary

“Furiosa,” the highly anticipated prequel to George Miller’s acclaimed “Mad Max: Fury Road,” plunges viewers into a savage, post-apocalyptic landscape, further enriching the Mad Max universe. With Anya Taylor-Joy stepping into the boots of the fierce Imperator Furiosa, the film explores her origins, tracing the path that led her to become the formidable warrior we met in “Fury Road.”

“Furiosa” takes us back to a time before the reign of Immortan Joe, unveiling the brutal and chaotic rise of this iconic character. The film delves into Furiosa’s early life, from her abduction and enslavement to her eventual escape and fight for survival. The narrative is both expansive and intimate, weaving together grand-scale action with personal moments of struggle and resilience. The storyline is tightly paced, maintaining a relentless momentum that echoes the frenetic energy of its predecessor while providing a deeper emotional core.

Anya Taylor-Joy delivers a powerhouse performance as Furiosa, capturing the character’s inner turmoil and unwavering determination. Her portrayal is nuanced, blending vulnerability with a steely resolve that makes Furiosa both relatable and awe-inspiring. Supporting roles by Chris Hemsworth and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II add depth to the story, each bringing their unique gravitas and charisma. Hemsworth, in particular, shines as a complex antagonist, providing a worthy foil to Furiosa’s burgeoning heroism.

George Miller’s direction is, once again, a masterclass in visual storytelling. His vision for the dystopian world is both grand and meticulously detailed, with every frame brimming with kinetic energy. The cinematography by John Seale captures the stark beauty of the wasteland, contrasting vast, desolate expanses with the chaotic intensity of the action sequences. The film’s practical effects and stunts are jaw-dropping, showcasing Miller’s commitment to creating visceral, immersive experiences.

The action set-pieces in “Furiosa” are nothing short of spectacular. From high-octane car chases to brutal hand-to-hand combat, the film keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The use of practical effects over CGI lends a tangible, gritty realism to the action, making every explosion and collision feel impactful. The film’s design, from the grotesque war rigs to the flamboyant costumes, is both imaginative and grounded, enhancing the film’s immersive quality.

“Furiosa” explores themes of survival, identity, and resistance, delving into the psychological scars of its characters. The film’s emotional resonance lies in Furiosa’s journey from captivity to empowerment, making her a symbol of defiance and hope. The narrative doesn’t shy away from the brutality of its world, but it also highlights the strength and resilience of the human spirit.

“Furiosa” is a triumphant addition to the Mad Max saga, offering a rich backstory to one of its most compelling characters. Anya Taylor-Joy’s stellar performance, combined with George Miller’s visionary direction, ensures that the film stands tall in the franchise. It’s a gripping, emotional, and visually stunning ride that fans of the series and newcomers alike will find captivating. “Furiosa” not only expands the mythos of the Mad Max universe but also solidifies Furiosa’s place as one of the most iconic heroines in modern cinema.

Technical Commentary

Video

“Furiosa” debuts on Ultra HD with a spectacular, reference-quality HEVC H.265 encode, with stunning clarity and definition from start to finish with a full array of colors. Shot entirely on the Arri Alexa 65 camera system, the freshly minted, native 4K transfer comes with sharp details in the costumes, the vehicles and the Australian landscape, including all the CG-heavy sequences. The Dolby Vision HDR presentation has great contrast providing the 2.39:1 image with an incredibly three-dimensional, cinematic quality. Simon Duggan’s photography illustrates amazing animated primaries and a lavish display of full-bodied secondary hues, showboating an opulent selection of earth tones, vibrant yellows and fiery oranges throughout. The 4K HDR video is an incredible piece of work that is of reference quality.

Audio

“Furiosa” also has a great shound that will push any home theater with a phenomenal, demo-quality Dolby Atmos soundtrack that immediately immerses viewers into this post-apocalyptic world right from the start and nearly never lets up.

Special Features

• Highway to Valhalla: In Pursuit of Furiosa (HD, 57 min) is an impressive making-of doc featuring various cast & crew interviews, along with great insights into the production and tons of BTS footage.
• Metal Beasts & Holy Motors (HD, 15 min) looks at the design and creation of the vehicles, props and costumes with informative interviews by the people responsible for building them.
• Furiosa: Stowaway to Nowhere (HD, 11 min) is an in-depth look at a pivotal action sequence and the enormous amount of work, time and stunts that went into crafting the entire thing.
• Darkest Angel: Anya Taylor-Joy as Furiosa (HD, 10 min) focuses on the titular character and the performance as told by cast & crew interviews, particularly from the actor and the director.
• Motorbike Messiah: Chris Hemsworth as Dementus (HD, 10 min) is similar to the above but with a bit more attention on the actor finding the right performance for the character.