What a lovely day for a prequel.
Following his 2022 box office bomb “Three Thousand Years of Longing,” George Miller is back with another movie that I’m sure will make more money than that film did. It’s called “Furiosa: A Mad Mad Saga,” a spin-off and prequel to “Mad Max: Fury Road,” where we see the younger Imperator Furiosa, originally played by Charlize Theron. Fans know she was formally an officer of the warlord Immortan Joe before she turned her back on him and became the iconic bad ass who knows how to survive in a “Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.” I’m sorry, but I had to say it. Anyway, now, we have Anya Taylor-Joy portraying her.
“Mad Max: Fury Road” made my Top 10 Best Films of 2015 list, because of how it broke many rules of an action sequel with its car chases, bizarre images, and the reality of a post-apocalyptic world. It was a sequel that definitely honored the George Miller-Mel Gibson franchise from the 80s. And while “Furiosa” doesn’t exceed that film’s massive risks, and I have never seen anything like “Fury Road,” it still delivers the goods with the performances and special effects. You’ll definitely need your popcorn and soda for this one.
Chris Hemsworth plays Dementus, the warlord leader of the Bike Horde, who abducts young Furiosa (Alyla Browne) and murders her mother (Charles Fraser). He also strikes a bargain with Immortan Joe (now played by Lachy Hulme), one that requires him to blow up one of the Wasteland’s fortresses, Gastown, unless he supplies him with more food and water. The Citadel leader agrees, on the condition he takes Furiosa, who is resourceful enough to escape.
You have to admire how Hemsworth seems to channeling on the insanity of Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight,” and when he knows how to merge with the franchise’s tone. Unlike “Ghostbusters” (2016), “Vacation” (2015), and “Men in Black International,” he enters an iconic franchise with the right charisma. And he looks great with his beard being red by a smoke gun and grey by his character’s aging.
Years later, we see Furiosa (now we have Taylor-Joy) collaborating with Joe’s professional War Rig driver Praetorian Jack (Tom Burke), and waiting to get revenge on Dementus. You know how movies are. Their characters can’t just go right for the kill. They need patience for the window of opportunity. And it’s sure as fun seeing her fight anyone who stands in her way.
Taylor-Joy has proven herself to be a natural young actress. “The Witch,” “Split,” “Thoroughbreds,” “The Northman,” “The Menu,” and now, as Furiosa, she manages to portray a Charlize Theron character with the right bad ass attitude. How she lost her arm, shaved her head, and this prequel also likes to see how she would handle a monster like Dementus in such a Hellish environment. It all works.
I saw “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” at a special Dolby screening in NYC on Monday, and I could feel the vibrations of the chases and horns. I could feel the momentum that Miller’s team of professionals are able to place in those scenes. The stunt work, pyrotechnics, CGI, and sets. They’re all beautifully photographed by Simon Duggan (“I, Robot,” “Hacksaw Ridge”) and professionally edited by Margaret Sixel and Eliot Knapman.
Of course, I felt “Mad Max: Fury Road” had more twisted images and a complex insanity than this one does, but there are some moments I won’t spoil. Especially one of the closing shots. “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” is an entertaining prequel that deserves Miller’s direction and Taylor-Joy as the young heroine and Hemsworth as the villain.
Like I said: “What a lovely day for a prequel.”
