From a technical standpoint, Fury Road is a masterpiece. The special effects used in this movie are astounding and an absolute joy to watch play out on screen. I wish I could have seen this movie in 3D in the cinema because, like with The Martian, all of Fury Roads effects are done very tastefully. Nothing feels out of place or overdone. And on that note, I have to acknowledge how well edited this instalment into the Mad Max franchise truly is. From beginning to end, Fury Road is almost always pure, total, nonstop action. Yet, it feels seamless. Margaret Sixel has done such a great job on this movie that it almost feels as though some pretty long sequences could have been filmed in one take. Editors are often unsung heroes in the world of filmmaking yet, on this occasion, Sixel has to take a bow for her marvellous work in the cutting room. Simply put, the post-production work done on Fury Road largely contributed to how good this film turned out.
In saying this, more than any one single defining element, what makes Fury Road a really great film is its identity and vision, something that 71 year old director George Miller has to receive plaudits for. Exactly thirty years after releasing the last instalment in this franchise, Miller has brought to this production an ambition and a clear direction which makes it stand out. Everything about it is unique, from the costume and production design to the makeup to the characterisation of the lead roles, Miller has created a cinematic work of art with Fury Road by building a truly unique and bizarre world and bringing together a crew that could help make his vision into a reality. With the modern technology he had at his disposal, Miller has given us what will perhaps be remembered as his best film with Fury Road.
Yet the film's lack of story is what lets it down a bit for me. It is essentially a two-hour long car chase and, while for some people this might be enough, for me I'd have liked to have seen just a little bit more. The dialogue is fine, the acting is great (particularly Charlize Theron as Furiosa), and the characters don't feel too underdeveloped, but just in terms of plotting I'd have liked to have seen something a bit different than "let's go this way, let's go back". There is a reason that the film's screenplay was not nearly acknowledged as much as its other elements. In saying this, if your in the mood for a mindless popcorn action flick, Mad Max: Fury Road is the film for you.
Overall, Mad Max: Fury Road is a fun movie. It is an extremely well-crafted action flick and was extremely deserving of all the technical achievement wins it picked up during the awards season. George Miller's singular vision has given us what is, with no doubt in my mind, the best action movie of the decade thus far. The acting is done well, and I would go as far to say that Furiosa is the strongest female protagonist we have seen in any action film since Sigourney Weaver's turn as Ripley in "Aliens". The film's only downside is its simplistic plot, which in my mind has prevented this great movie from becoming an amazing film. All in all, Fury Road was well worth the watch. What a lovely day.
Score: 8.5/10
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