Furiosa Film Review
Furiosa Film Review | Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is the follow-up to what many consider the greatest action film of the 21st century, Mad Max: Fury Road. But does it live up to the expectations?
The Making of the Film
Furiosa is undeniably epic. There’s no room for debate on that. However, whether it stands as a classic or one of the greatest action films of all time is a different matter. The film critic world often veers towards pretentiousness, but Furiosa finds itself in the rare category of films that are universally praised. Despite its epic nature, it’s not a perfect movie.
George Miller has crafted something extraordinary, a unique take on the action genre. The skeleton script for Furiosa was written before Fury Road was even filmed, serving as a backstory for Charlize Theron‘s character. The development process was long, and the shoot and post-production were equally epic. Six months of shooting, with some sequences taking an extraordinary amount of time, and a year of editing, resulted in a complex final product.
The Story
Furiosa is a prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road, exploring the backstory of Furiosa. Originally played by Charlize Theron, the film features Anya Taylor-Joy as the young adult Furiosa and Alyla Brown as her younger self. Described by Miller as an odyssey and an allegory, it’s a journey of self-discovery and a quest to find home. The film is epic in every sense, including a meta reference within the dialogue itself.
The Action
Furiosa is anything but boring, featuring non-stop action and some of the best sequences of the year. However, there’s a noticeable increase in CGI compared to the more practical effects of Fury Road. While not inherently a drawback, it does create a different stylistic feel. The VFX and CGI match the film’s tone – tongue-in-cheek and intentionally not hyper-realistic. Miller’s use of digital zooms, while a stylistic choice, sometimes feels less grounded than traditional methods.
Anya Taylor-Joy’s Performance
Anya Taylor-Joy carries the bulk of the film on her shoulders, delivering a strong performance primarily through physicality, in line with Miller’s inspiration from silent films. Her portrayal is effective and compelling, fitting well within the Mad Max universe.
Chris Hemsworth’s Performance
Chris Hemsworth plays Dementus, a brutish and comedic character. His performance is marked by an inconsistent accent, modeled after an old-school Australian accent but not always consistent. Despite this, Hemsworth delivers what is expected of his character, adding to the film’s unique style.
The Editing
The editing, overseen by Margaret Sixel (Miller’s wife), took a full year to complete. Her unique perspective brings a different feel to the action sequences, distinguishing Furiosa from traditional action films.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, Furiosa is epic. While it may not be one of the greatest action films of all time, it is a commendable and enjoyable experience. The move towards more CGI and some self-indulgent elements aside, it’s a film worth seeing, especially in theaters or IMAX if you can.
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