Highway To
Hell
Film: Mad
Max: Fury Road
Cast: Tom
Hardy, Charlize Theron Directed by: George Miller
Duration: 2 hrs
Rating: * * * *
In many aspects, it is incredible that the director who started the franchise with Mad Max
in 1979 (followed by a sequel in 1981 and then 1985) can still deliver the
goods a thirty five odd years later. In between he dabbled with animation films
like Babe: Pig in the city and Happy Feet.
But with Mad
Max: Fury Road, George Miller strikes back and how. There is action and more action
and so much of it that it takes time to digest and admire what you have just
seen when you walk out of the theatre. Basically it is a chase involving huge
armored vehicles and no this is nothing remotely like Fast and Furious. Furious would be like an old Ambassador
competing with a Formula 1 car running at turbo speed – Mad Max is a billion
light years ahead in every aspect.
Set in the
desert in a dystopian world, Max (Tom Hardy) is a lone warrior held captive by
men with tonsured skulls called the War boys, he is their ‘blood bank’ because
he happens to be a universal donor. We move from 0-100 kmph in a few seconds
and the foot is never taken off the accelerator, even for a moment. Immortan
Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne, been there done that as far as Mad Max is concerned) is
the boss of the Citadel where people are longing for liquids, primarily water
and then oil. Everyone is at the mercy of Immortan Joe and his henchmen in this
strange world. Charlize Theron plays Imperator Furiosa a tough cookie who
rebels against the chief, she escapes with some young women who are objects of
Immortans desire. They are called ‘breeders’ giving a fair idea of what the men
think about these women. Max joins hands with Furiosa in the arduous journey
till we head towards a spectacular finale in the most barren landscape you will
ever see.
In Mad Max:
Fury Road actions speak louder than words. But make no mistake, the film is not
only about action, there are various themes that are also dealt with admirable
deftness starting from the authoritarian rule of Immortan Joe to rebel women
and men akin to suicide bombers.
The mayhem
unleashed on screen is something to savor. Right from the costumes, to those
massive vehicles with a range of variety and pole vaulting war boys, not to forget
the whacky guitarist on top of a vehicle, Miller pulls it off with elan.
For a change
here is a film where you don’t mind the 3D. While Tom Hardy steps in the shoes
of Max with ease, Charlize Theron is mighty impressive as Imperator Furiosa.
Apparently, another sequel is being planned centered around Furiosa. All one
can say is bring it on and bring it on quickly. But meanwhile, enjoy this heck
of a joyride.
Published in The Navhind Times, Goa on 17th May 2015
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