BY SEB JENKINS MAY 23, 2024
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is addictively immersive and bewitchingly bonkers as it not only lives up to Fury Road but enriches and expands the franchise.
George Miller has done it again! Nine years on from the Mad Max reboot and 45 years after the very first film in the franchise, Furiosa returns in the most rage-fuelled prequel this side of the Fury Road. Anya Taylor-Joy takes up the Imperator Furiosa mantle this time around, facing off against a maniacal Chris Hemsworth in one of the most immersive action films since… well, since Mad Max: Fury Road.
Synopsis
Born into the peach-growing and peaceful paradise of the Green Place of Many Mothers, a young Furiosa (Alyla Browne) displays all the characteristics of her Imperator persona from an early age. When the Biker Horde turn up on her doorstep, rather than shying away from danger, Furiosa tip-toes her way through the trees in a brave attempt to cut off their fuel supply. Caught in the act and kidnapped as proof of an illusive Place of Abundance, Furiosa makes a vow to take the location of her home and family to the grave.
After witnessing her own mother’s execution, Furiosa is plunged into the tyrannical care of warlord leader, Dementus (Chris Hemsworth) – a man hellbent on forcing apocalyptic control of the Citadel, Gas Town, Bullet Farm and everything in between. When trading a caged Furiosa to Immortan Joe proves in the best interest of this power-hungry plan, Dementus accepts without hesitation. But as she is reared as one of Joe’s next breeding wives, even the warlord’s cage seems preferable. The ever-resourceful Furiosa finds a way to slip free and shaves her head to live hidden among the Citadel folk as a male worker.
Review
Enter Anya Taylor-Joy. Time has passed and Furiosa has worked her way up the ranks of the citadel but remains hellbent as ever on revenge for her mother’s death. This Mad Max prequel is a bloodthirsty, all-action, bonkers and bizarre lust for Dementus’ head on a stick, set against the blood-orange wasteland of an apocalyptic Australia. However, when Furiosa forges a deep platonic relationship with the Citadel’s principal commander, Praetorian Jack (Tom Burke), a route back home finally seems possible when all is said and done. Exploding spears, War Boys conducting paraglider assaults, and the People Eater rubbing his own nipples into oblivion… what more could you want?!
Following in the footsteps of Mrs Action herself, Charlize Theron, was never going to be an easy task, but Taylor-Joy brings a bubbling rage to a younger version of Furiosa that not only breeds exciting tension, but also presents valuable context to her character. A special mention must also go to young Alyla Browne who provides a sensational performance as a child Furiosa lurches from paradise to prisoner.
In another film, it would be easy to say that Chris Hemsworth completely steals the show as the delightfully unhinged Dementus, but not today. The Thor actor – who apparently cannot escape filming complicated action sequences while being forced to wear a cape – perfectly tows the line between wicked humour and devilish disturb.
While every addition to the Mad Max franchise has George Miller’s genius trademark stamped all over it, Furiosa benefits from the perfect blend of old and new. Screenwriter
Nico Lathouris, editor Margaret Sixel, composer Tom Holkenborg, and costume designer Jenny Beavan all worked on both Fury Road and the prequel, grounding Furiosa within the Mad Max universe but injecting something new into the world of rust. It would have been ever so easy to fall into the trap of creating a Fury Road carbon copy, but Furiosa stands on its own with all the fury of its titular character, making it an instant 2024 must-see.
STAR RATING
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is out in cinemas May 24
Comments