Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga marks another powerful and spectacular entry from visionary director George Miller.
A quick synopsis of the film: Forty years before the events of Mad Max: Fury Road, a young 10 year old Furiosa (Alyla Browne) is taken from her home The Green Place, by the warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth) and his gang of bikers. Following an encounter with Immortan Joe (Lachy Humme), Furiosa (Anya Taylor-Joy), now older, must then spend the next several years surviving a series of trials – all in order to find her way back to The Green Place.
Epicness in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
With Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, director George Miller and company returns to the Mad Max franchise. This time around, Miller and co-writer Nico Lathouris craft an epic odyssey. One that spans over a number of years. Thus allowing for the film to flow perfectly into Fury Road. Correspondingly, we see Miller and Lathouris explores with the idea of revenge and hate. As well as themes of idolatry and feminism. Not just only in character and plot, but also in scope and size.
Cinematographer Simon Duggan displays the Australian outback with a grand cinematic view. This is in addition to the action sequences, which are magnificent and spell-binding. Miller, Duggan, and action designer/second unit director Guy Norris design the action with a kinetic feeling. One that allows for a gory rawness to seep in. Complete with an epic grandiose scope. Pacing-wise, editors Margaret Sixel and Eliot Knapman manage to not bogging the audience down with exposition.
Moreover, the visual effects, courtesy of VFX companies DNEG, Framestore, and Rising Sun manage to blend seamlessly with the practical effects. Allowing for production designer Colin Gibson to excel with all of the vehicles and props. On top of that, composer Tom Holkenborg (aka Junkie XL) ‘s score is intense and pulse-pounding. Combining multiple instruments, Holkenborg takes influence from Fury Road. But, never replicates it. This results in a score that is more ethereal. All the while, the score blends wonderfully with the sound design.
Performances in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
As for the performances, Anya Taylor-Joy shines as Furiosa. Replacing Charlize Theron, Taylor-Joy maintains several of the same sensibilities as Theron. She is silent. She’s stoic. And she’s fierce. But, Taylor-Joy brings a bit more determination. Especially when it comes to her goals. Along with this, Alyla Browne echoes that determination as the ten-year old version of Furiosa. While Browne’s screentime is limited to the first ten minutes, it still manages to leave an impact.
In terms of the standout performance, Chris Hemsworth easily takes the cake. As Dementus, Hemsworth brings a certain type of energy to the role. Charming, Charismatic, but manic just the same. This is perfect as it works for the type of character Dementus is – a scumbag-like motorcycle rider/cult leader. Who throughout the film beings to slowly go insane from the outback. The character (and Hemsworth’s performance) also works in tandem, but also as a contrast to Taylor-Joy’s stoic demeanor.
Final Thoughts
With Furiosa, director George Miller and company, return to the wasteland. This time, crafting an epic and visual odyssey throughout time. Yet, he and his collaborators manage to retain what was great about Fury Road and create something new. Additionally, the performances from Taylor-Joy, Browne, and Hemsworth contribute to this wholeheartedly. With both performances adding onto the epic and grand scale of the story. All in all, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga marks another powerful and spectacular entry in already spectacular franchise.
