If you think ofMad Max: Fury Roadas The Hobbit, Furiosa is itsLord of the Rings.
One is a little more singular and focused while the other is larger and more expansive.
Theyre two stories that stand alone beautifully, but also complement each other magnificently.
Furiosa on the warpath.Image: Warner Bros.
The comparison goes further too.
We see the other strongholds of the Wasteland.
We witness how barter and politics work there.
Furiosa, Jack, Dementus, Dementus’ arm.Image: Warner Bros.
Of course, the biggest challenge with Furiosa is standing up to its groundbreaking masterpiece of a predecessor.
Was it even possible for Miller to achieve that with a follow-up?
The answer, as per the Rings comparison, is an emphatic Yes.
Shiny and chrome.Image: Warner Bros.
In some ways, Furiosa might be even better than Fury Road.
Overall, its at least just as good and thats saying a lot.
Furiosa is bigger than Fury Road.
It has more heart.
It has more meaning.
And, yes, it has even more bonkers, you-wont-believe-your eyes action.
The trucks are bigger, cars are faster, and motorcycles are more plentiful.
Its in Joes Citadel where Furiosa begins to carve her way into the world.
Plus, each jumps ahead in time, which constantly provides surprises.
Character development is left to our imaginations.
Its a tactic that applies to every character in the film.
Even the ones you hate, you come to be fascinated by because we see them from all sides.
What are they doing to survive?
Do they have to?
Would we do that?
Miller rarely judges the characters himself, instead letting their actions do the talking.
Thats driven largely in part thanks to the performances.
Taylor-Joy doesnt talk a lot in Furiosa, but every movement and glance speaks volumes.
Its a true journey from scared young woman to an almost Terminator-like machine.
We love Charlize Therons version of the character, but you never for a second miss her.
Hemsworth is a force in the film too.
Hes a worthy, dangerous, complex adversary.
Those performances also fit right into this world that George Miller has created.
And, usually, that purpose is multi-faceted.
If someone runs out of frame, a beat passes, and something chases them on the other side.
Every shot tells its own story with multiple things happening.
That makes a film thats filled with awesome still feel easily digestible.
There are also a few Easter eggs that feel a smidge like fan service.
Or maybe you simply cant stand Hemsworths choice of accent.
I do fully endorse this though: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is another George Miller masterpiece.
Youll want to watch it again and again and then watch Fury Road right after it again and again.
Its a top-to-bottom cinematic stunner.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is in theaters May 24.
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