Mad Max, a cinematic classic. One which propelled its star and Director to the international stage. An iconic movie, one which seemed everyone who’d ever watched a movie had watched. Everyone that is, except me. It turned out, I was living under the romantic comedy rock known as Meg Ryan.
So, with my deep insight to the post apocalyptic world blah blah, I eagerly went to the premier of this colossal Australian production of epic car chases and weird super white crazies.
As we wait for the movie to start, I ask the beautiful woman next to me how she got tickets to the premier. “I used to work for George.” She states, as though it’s the most obvious thing in the world. I look at her blankly.
“I don’t understand what you just said.” I respond to her, like a fool. I don’t even know why I said that instead of “Who’s George?” It’s almost as though I don’t speak English.
The beautiful woman looks at me as though I’m a complete moron, but she’s polite and continues to explain. “George Miller?” I continue to look at her questioningly. It’s obvious I don’t know who that is. “He’s the director of this movie.” Oh… there’s a semblance of understanding now on my part. Obviously not enough, so she continues. “He directed all of the Mad Max movies.” The nice lady tried to educate as much as possible within our short conversation, it was sweet, but obvious to her that I was not of the industry at all.
So, with some excitement, I await for the movie to start. I’ve watched so many trailers in my life that I suspect that there is a potential that the best part of the movie were in the trailer. How incredibly wrong I was.
This movie is jammed packed with action, and a storyline that just won’t quit. Mainly because it’s simple. Spoiler alert: Max is kidnapped by the crazies, he’s used as a live blood bag for a weak war boy… actually, I won’t spoil it for you. Watch it for yourself.
The acting is surprising refreshing and intense. Bane, I mean Tom Hardy, does a decent job of the mumbling and occasionally speaking Max. He’s troubled, tortured, rebellious, dismissive, righteous, anti-hero and hero, all rolled in one.
As for Charlize Theron, she proves why she’s an Oscar winner, doing a splendid job as Furiosa. She’s the first truly believable female action hero I’ve seen on screen for a long time. If any of you even mentions Ms. Jolie, I will thump you. A punch from the arms of Ms Jolie will only lightly displace some air.
Furiosa is tough, gritty, troubled, ambitious, meticulous and hopeful. She’s had to prove her worth long ago in order to drive the war rig. She’s no spring chicken, she’s a veteran of this wasteland. I applaud Charlize on her portrayal, although, I am quite thrown off by her bad accent. Half Australia, half American, she just couldn’t quite seem to make it work. Thankfully, there were many action sequences and silent brooding moments which redeem her enunciation difficulties.
Nicholas Hoult has certainly come a long way since About a Boy. His portrayal of Nux did have a fair amount of resemblance to his portrayal of R in Warm Bodies, but entertaining none the less. At times, Nux was frightening in his belief of self-sacrifice in the name of Immortan Joe. His “What a beautiful day” is said with crazy conviction and eagerness that you easily buy into his and his fellow war boys’ enthusiasm as they serve their lord, Immortan Joe.
As for Immortan Joe, what a scary crazed villain. He is truly one of the most terrifying villains that have graced the silver screen. Hugh Keays-Byrne’s physical transformation is one of magnificent disgust, and made my stomach turn. His presence onscreen made my skin crawl. I get the shivers when I picture him in all his despicable glory.
Surprisingly, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Zoe Kravitz are standouts amongst the supporting cast. With Rosie proving that she’s more than a pretty face and gorgeous body for Michael Bay to sell to teenage boys. Rosie is a woman who can act and take on accents easily.
This movie has it all, a strong brooding male lead, who will have more of an opportunity to shine in the next Mad Max movie (I hope there is one). A strong cast of females who do not sit around screaming and helpless. In this wasteland, the pathetically weak are killed off. You have to be tough to survive. Villains and minions who are so devoted to the cause, it’s obvious that they’re actually in a religious cult. And more torque than a Fast and Furious movie.
George Miller has done a spectacular job of combining a realistic and tangible plot, strong characters built on what they don’t say as much as what they do say. He’s a visual master who has more than surpassed my expectations.
Visually, this movie is a wonderful juxtaposition of beauty and the shockingly repugnant, sometimes, within the same scene. It is a visual spectacle that brings you to the edge of your seat from beginning to end. You can’t help but tense up every time something happens. It’s just one of those movies.
Rating: 7/10, it’s thoroughly enjoyable. It’s the ultimate epic car chase with gun fire and explosions. It is the ultimate in big boys toys coming together in one movie. Except, the women finally have the upper hand and lead the men in a merry chase.
See it again: Yes, and I totally did. It was just as enjoyable the second time around, and just as edge of your seat.
Worth my time: Ah yeah it is! George, after this movie, I appreciate you. And I definitely would have had a different conversation with the woman who used to work for you. If only.
Take my mother: Ofcourse, and she loved every minute of it. According to my very sensible mother, “This movie is crazy, but very good.”
Talking points: Bane impressions, crazy car chases, and how on earth did they make Furiosa’s left arm look so real?
Annoyance factor: 1/10, Charlize Theron’s accent really started to get to me on my second viewing. Get it right mate.
Ranter & Banter 