Review: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga: Full of 'Madness' Just Like the Previous Film

Many critics have argued that sequels are a sign of a lack of creativity in the mainstream film industry. However, George Miller has proven that sequels, no matter how many, can be masterpieces if done right.

Some might argue that the 2015 film Mad Max: Fury Road was nothing more than George Miller's attempt to cash in on the franchise. But the final product proved that Fury Road was an expression of Miller's pent-up idealism and madness. After spending his career from 1998 to 2011 making "children's films," Miller was ready to return to the post-apocalyptic world of violence and madness that he first created in 1979.

And now, the old man is back with a vengeance. This year, George Miller presents his latest work, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Set 15 years before the events of Mad Max: Fury Road, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga follows the journey of a young Furiosa (Anya Taylor-Joy) as she is taken from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into the hands of Warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth).

A Thrilling Escape and a Dangerous Journey

After escaping from Dementus, Furiosa still faces many dangers. In her attempt to return to the Citadel, she finds herself caught in the middle of a power struggle between two rival factions. Amidst this chaos, Furiosa must fight for survival and find a way to get home.

If you loved the action in Mad Max: Fury Road, you'll love it even more in this film. Like Fury Road, Furiosa is told in a fast-paced and relentless style, similar to Gareth Evans' The Raid. The difference is that George Miller uses a much wider setting, the vast wasteland as a "racing arena."

About two-thirds of the film's runtime is filled with car chases between strange and badass modified vehicles. But they don't just race, they fight each other on their vehicles as they speed through the barren desert. This is where Miller unleashes all the madness he's been holding back for decades.

The action is not only fast-paced and brutal, but it's also full of crazy stunts and packed with amazing CGI. George Miller makes the most of his $168 million budget to bring his vision of a brutal and dangerous wasteland to life.

A Non-Stop Thrill Ride

The film never runs out of steam, constantly moving at a high speed. Initially, I was skeptical that Miller could top the action scenes from Fury Road. I wondered if the climax would be even crazier or if it would be disappointing because the director was overexploiting everything from the start. But George Miller is a genius who is also crazy at the same time.

The screenplay, written by Miller and Nick Lathouris, follows the storytelling style of the other Mad Max films, satirizing contemporary social and political issues. However, like most action films released today, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga has some limitations in its development of conflict and characters.

Despite these limitations, Miller is able to make up for them with his strong direction. He presents the film with a very fast-paced story. The storytelling of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is presented with a high-octane drive from the start of the film, giving the audience room to catch their breath in some parts but constantly present with an intensity that keeps increasing until the end of the film.

A Worthy Sequel

In the end, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga once again succeeds as a sequel, delivering a visually stunning and intellectually stimulating story about the post-apocalyptic world, hidden under the guise of a mindless and crazy B-movie.

Rating: 4.5/5

Pros:

• Brutal and suspenseful action
• Amazing visuals
• Deep and satirical story
• Strong direction

Cons:

• Limited conflict and character development

Recommendation:

This film is a must-see for fans of action movies and Mad Max. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is a full of surprises and unexpected madness.

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