The latest film in George Miller’s post-apocalyptic saga, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, is garnering early buzz, and critics are already singing praises for its breathtaking action and lead performance by Anya Taylor-Joy.
The Big Picture
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga dives into the backstory of the iconic Furiosa, exploring her journey from young adulthood to the ruthless leader seen in Mad Max: Fury Road. Early reactions applaud Miller’s signature action filmmaking and the film’s stunning cinematography, though some note pacing issues.
What’s the Story?
Set 15 years before Fury Road, Furiosa tracks its titular character through her young adulthood, about 45 years after the collapse of civilization. She’s whisked away from her home in the Green Place of Many Mothers and finds herself embroiled in a war between Dementus, the tyrannical leader of the great Biker Horde, and the infamous Immortan Joe, head of the Citadel.
Chris Hemsworth plays Dementus, the man who took everything from Furiosa. Described as a “product of the Wasteland,” he’s embraced a ruthless kill-or-be-killed mentality. Throughout her trials and tribulations, Furiosa yearns to return home and exact revenge on Dementus.
What About the Action?
A Mad Max film wouldn’t be complete without epic action sequences. A 15-minute action scene in Furiosa took 78 days to film, with over 200 stunt performers translating Miller’s vision to the big screen. According to Anya Taylor-Joy, Miller meticulously baked storytelling and character-building into every last detail to ensure it would live up to Fury Road.
What Are Critics Saying?
Here’s what some critics are saying:
Therese Lacson (Collider) praised Anya Taylor-Joy’s performance but noted that the film struggles with inconsistent pacing.
Erik Davis (Fandango) commended Miller’s “powerhouse action filmmaking” and called the cinematography “stunning.”
David Ehrlich observed that Furiosa makes Fury Road “even richer.”
Other critics laud the epic worldbuilding and Miller’s ability to expand the Mad Max universe.
Wrapping Up
With Furiosa, George Miller returns to the Wasteland and brings along a star-studded cast, including Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, and Tom Burke. Despite some pacing issues, the film is shaping up to be a visually stunning, action-packed prequel that adds new layers to the Mad Max mythology.
Tags: Furiosa, Mad Max Fury Road, George Miller, Anya Taylor Joy, Chris Hemsworth
