Max (Tom Hardy) is tracking across the desert plains with only the haunting memories of his past when forces led by the tyrannical Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne) capture him. The diseased Joe is in a position of power as he dominates the supply of water, oil and ammunition, ruling over his Warboys with the promise of Valhalla in return for a worthy sacrifice.
Of course, this doesn't sit well with all, and when the trusted Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) looks to make a stand, the hellions of the roads are released and the chase begins. Max, serving as a blood source to crazed Warboy Nux (Nicholas Hoult), is forced to join them and soon finds himself embroiled in a fight for revenge and redemption.
Spitting fire, blasting through the airwaves and leaving twisted metal left, right and centre, George Miller's return to the sadistic and magnetic world that he created is nothing short of majestic, albeit demented. Thankfully, the crazed nature of Miller's picture is what sets itself apart from the rest and makes it likely one of the most original blockbusters you will witness this year.
Presented with a beautiful fiery orange pallet, Fury Road doesn't leave it long before we are in the presence of the rapid-fire, bombastic nature of a world ruled by an overweight, diseased overlord who is possessed by power. From spiked war machines to a motorcade trailer containing a fire-spurting guitarist, this truly is a removal from your standard offering.
Miller's penchant for the explosive drives this seemingly indestructible vehicle as we witness all manner of vehicle showdowns, resulting in fireballs of blood, sweat and carnage. The sheer imagination of flexible pole attacks, suicidal attacks and beyond pair with a rocking, pulsating Junkie XL soundtrack to create an experience like few others. This is the ultimate in frenetic and energetic cinema.
Replacing Mel Gibson was never going to be an easy job but Hardy more than holds his own as the dialogue-muttering and minimalistic Max rides again. The subtle dry humour, rugged look and regular heroics make this 21st century Max exactly what is required. Even more impressive is the brute force of Theron, forcing her way into our hearts as the figure of redemption and battering her way through the male dominated world around her.
For such a masculine, petrol-fuelled movie it's great to see at the core the portrayal of a strong female unit, only backed up further by the likes of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Zoe Kravitz, whose initial appearance as assumed damsels in distress are soon extinguished and evolved perfectly. Adding further dimension and another scintillating character study, Hoult may be the surprise package of the movie as Nux seeks the perfect death to enter the gates of Valhalla, only to find more than his fair share of obstacles.
It cannot go without saying that Fury Road is a remarkable achievement in visual splendor. Drenched in the sun-soaked, fire-breathing oranges of the deserted plains, each frame breathes life and then some. Even when the sun drops, the stark beauty of a dark blue night sky is a thing of stark fascination. Blurring the lines between real stunts and CGI, the film often will have you in awe at its stunts and the vehicle designs are pure alchemy for petrol heads and thrill seekers alike.
Mad Max: Fury Road may have been decades in the making, but it makes it up in aces for all the time lost, with a bombastic, knockout punch of a rage ride that leaves little room to catch breathe. Relentless at every possible moment, this is a film that makes even Fast and Furious 7 look like it's up against a monster truck of insanity. Miller is a master of his crafted world and Max is the quiet and lethal hero; what else more do we want.
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