FURIOSA
*****
Directed by George Miller.
Starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke.
Science-Fiction, Australia & US, 148 minutes, Certificate 15.
Released in cinemas in the UK by Warner Bros on May 24th
Nearly a decade after Max Rockatansky’s overdue return to cinema screens, we return to the Waste Lands once more, only this time to delve into the life of Furiosa, the instantly iconic character who stole the show thanks to Charlize Theron’s dynamic performance. Theron is nowhere to be seen this time around as we go back to Furiosa’s childhood and follow her through the years, played by Alyla Browne and Anya Taylor-Joy respectively, on her long eventful journey to Fury Road. Thanks to their performances, and George Miller’s knock-out directing, this “MAD MAX SAGA” easily measures up to its predecessor.
At its heart FURIOSA, is a tale of revenge, a return to the template that ultimately became the heart of the first film. This time however the stakes are elevated to the height of an epic saga playing out over a number of years, allowing us more of a look at this enticing hell hole of a world, or what is left of it. We are introduced to Furiosa as a child in the mythical Green Place as she comes across a band of bloodthirsty scavengers who snatch her away from her idyllic childhood and into the care, if you can call it that, of Dementus, a career best performance from Chris Hemsworth, leader of a large biker gang with designs on conquering the Waste Lands. As Furiosa and Dementus encounter a host of familiar faces such as Immortan Joe and his family and allies, Furiosa embarks on a plan of revenge and escape that forges her legend.
This is a very different film from FURY ROAD. Where that film was a straightforward, increasingly propulsive series of intricate action sequences this is a more measured piece of storytelling employing an episodic structure that helps contribute to its mythic, epic qualities. Action fans need not worry however as there is still an abundance of kinetic sequences, including one lengthy set piece set once again on the Fury Road involving a war rig and several inventively kitted out motorcycles, that is the equal of anything seen in the previous film.
As Furiosa, Anya Taylor-Joy expertly compliments Charlize Theron’s performance, and also Alyla Browne’s, although a fair amount of digital trickery has been involved in matching the two actors visually. However, Taylor-Joy captures the essence of what makes her character so fascinating and exciting. A particularly impressive feat when considering she has barely any dialogue, managing to communicate her vast levels of anger and determination through her eyes while Chris Hemsworth is the near exact opposite; a loudmouthed and overconfident sadist who also comes across as a more multi-dimensional figure than is more commonly seen in action cinema.
More than just a background filling prequel this is nearly every bit as essential as FURY ROAD. Now approaching eighty years old, George Miller only revs up his visual storytelling and world building skills making this an essential visit to the largest cinema screen you can find to immerse yourself in. Mythic, exciting and entertaining it has you hoping that we do not have to wait another decade for the return of Max himself in the long promised Waste Land entry. In the meantime this will do nicely.
Iain MacLeod
