Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

 

      Co-written and directed by George Miller, he brings us back to the barren landscapes of the world of "Mad Max". It's been years since the success of "Mad Max: Fury Road" and now Mr. Miller brings us the prequel of that film's most memorable character, Furiosa.

      You can't miss the bold type marketing for the film "starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth".  It's interesting that while Ms. Taylor-Joy does in fact "star", she doesn't enter the film until almost halfway through the story and Mr. Hemsworth is almost unrecognizable wearing a prosthetic nose.

      Furiosa is played by Alyla Browne as a child and teen. She is terrific in the early half of the story. Once Ms.Taylor-Joy does appear, she dominates her scenes and holds our attention throughout the remainder of the film. Mr. Hemsworth is clearing having a great time chewing up the scenery as Dementus, and the decision to mask his familiar features behind the prosthetic allows him the freedom to go bonkers as the crazed villain. The film also features Tome Burke as Praetorian Jack, Lachy Hulme as Immortan Joe, and George Shevtsov as The History Man.

       While not quite on par with the mayhem in the previous film, there are exciting set pieces of volatile action, especially one excellent sequence involving the hijacking of the "War Rig". The story works as a stand alone film if you are new to the series, but also offers for the fans, a fun backstory that will have you running home to rewatch the superior "Fury Road" as soon as this one ends.