REVIEW: ‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ Lends Itself to Fans of the ‘Mad Max’ World, But Not to Newcomers

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga brings you to the beginning of Furiosa’s story. First introduced in Mad Max: Fury Road, played by Charlize Theron, we find a young Furiosa (Alyla Browne) abducted by the Warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth), leader of the Biker Horde. Dementus is set on finding the land of abundance. When he believes he found it at the Citadel, home of Immortan Joe (Lachy Hulme), Dementus attempts to take Joe down, but is thwarted by Joe and is War Boys. With Furiosa now in the hands of Immortan Joe, Furiosa will do anything to get back to her home, Green Place of Many Mothers. But her path is filled with obstacles, and she must decide what she is willing to do to get back to the people she loves.

If you have not seen any Mad Max movies, whether it was the original Mad Max movie from 1979 or the more recent, Mad Max: Fury Road in 2015, I highly recommend checking them out before seeing Furiosa. Because of the lack dialogue featured throughout the movie, it is up to the audience to figure out who the characters are in the movie and what is driving them. It is no spoiler that Taylor-Joy’s Furiosa comes out victorious in the end, but getting to that victory lacked the punch. The first hour of the movie is spent focusing on a young Furiosa (Browne), and too much time is wasted here. By the time we finally meet the adult Furiosa (Taylor-Joy), audience goers have too many unanswered questions. It is at this point where the action picks up and Miller highlights why he is one of the best action directors. He and cinematographer, Simon Duggan, deliciously deliver an escape scene that will have you on the edge of your seat. One would assume as we segway into the final fourth of the movie, the action sequences would only get better, but that’s not the case. The final act does not compare to action sequences featured earlier in the movie.

Hemsworth’s Dementus on the surface seems like a great villain to go head-to-head with the revenge thirsty Furiosa but gets lost in translation. Hemsworth beautifully portrays Dementus’ villainous side, licking the tears from his victims and snacking on sausages made from human flesh, but the audience doesn’t know enough about him to make a connection. Taylor-Joy’s stoic take on Furiosa lends itself to the story. The nonverbal communication she is able to convey from merely a look or a gesture helps push the story along, but, just like Dementus, her character would have greatly benefited with more dialogue.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga does well laying the groundwork that leads to Mad Max; Fury Road, but only if you’ve seen Fury Road. For those hoping to start their Mad Max journey with this movie will be left disappointed. If you are going to venture into the Mad Max world, jump right in with Fury Road. You will not be disappointed.

Grade: B-