"The question is, do you have it in you to make it epic?" Is one of the last lines uttered from the mouth of a defeated Dementus, as he urges Furiosa to finish him off in style. And oh boy does she fulfil his final demand - but that's a bit spoilery, so I'll leave that for you to UNEARTH.
I also couldn't help feeling like Dementus was setting director George Miller a challenge. At 79 years of age, does he still have it in him to MAKE IT EPIC? The answer to that lady and gentlemens, is shiny and chrome!! "Furiosa" is a film so frenetic, rich in Australian culture, and so unrelentingly glorious, that Valhalla would welcome it with arms wide open.
"Furiosa" not only serves as a gargantuan expansion of "Fury Road," retroactively enriching it with greater emotional heft and fleshing out the world's so beautifully and in depth, that you can all but feel the Australian sun burning the skin, and the sand in your eyes. Never has the Wasteland been so rich with detail. Even the mechanics of the war rig, the different factions, and all the insane contraptions built to further immerse viewers in this incredibly built world enthrall you effortlessly. From the paragliding motorflyers, to Immortan Joe's psychotic war boys and their epic war rig, and every bit of craziness inbetween, is pure magic.
Anya Taylor-Joy is a revelation in the role of Furiosa. She transcends mere embodiment, becoming the very essence of the character's physical prowess and steely determination. Fueled by a youthful fire that burns with an intensity that promises to become the inferno fans witnessed in "Fury Road," Taylor-Joy delivers a performance that is both captivating and ferocious. She commands the screen with every glance and growl, leaving no doubt that this young woman will rise to become the legend we know.
Chris Hemsworth is equally impressive, if not more so. He throws off his usual heroic persona to become Dementus, a complex and deliciously deranged antagonist. Hemsworth dives headfirst into the role, relishing the warped moral code that drives Dementus. His performance is a masterclass in controlled chaos, with moments of chilling brutality punctuated by flashes of unsettling charisma. Hemsworth creates a villain who is both terrifying and strangely captivating, adding a new layer of complexity to the "Mad Max" universe.
Director George Miller masterfully crafts a visually stunning experience. While the action sequences may be a little shy of the full operatic scale of "Fury Road," Miller has opted for a more unflinching and gritty approach, laced with the thrilling and visceral frenetic energy that makes these films so worthy of witnessing. Miller's signature blend of practical effects and CGI creates a world that feels both familiar and refreshingly new. The 10 minute war rig heist sequence is some of the most intense cinema I've experienced this year. I was firmly gripping onto the edge of my seat while I dangled off the edge, and it just kept getting more intense, and increasingly insane! The desolate landscapes are a character in and of themselves, their beauty serving as a stark reminder of the world that was lost. Not to mention Junkie XL's score is a worthy successor to the original, pounding with adrenaline and perfectly complementing the film's relentless pace.
"Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" is an epic addition to the franchise. It's a visually stunning, action-packed adventure with powerful themes, twisted humour, and two sensational performances. Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth breathe new life into the origins of Furiosa. While it might not surpass "Fury Road," it stands as a testament to George Miller's continued creativity and his ability to craft compelling stories within the unforgiving wasteland.
P.S. Hot damn that ending was so f*cking poetically hard-core! Nobody could have written a better way to get your revenge! Damnnn!
9/10
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