Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga centers on the young Furiosa (Alyla Browne), born into a thriving oasis in the desolate landscape of a war-ravaged Australia. Her idyllic existence is shattered when she is abducted and falls into the clutches of the unhinged Dementus (Chris Hemsworth). This marks the beginning of a harrowing ordeal that escalates when she later finds herself under the control of Immortan Joe (Lachy Hulme). Moving from one perilous situation to another, the now-adult Furiosa (Anya Taylor-Joy) navigates a path fraught with danger, driven by a singular purpose: revenge.
Director and screenwriter George Miller cemented his place in film history with the original Mad Max in 1979, and the sequel Mad Max 2 elevated both him and star Mel Gibson to iconic status. In my opinion, the significantly weaker Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (featuring Tina Turner!), released in 1985, brought a halt to the momentum of the Mad Max saga. Miller continued directing, but largely diverged from the genre that defined his early success, helming projects such as the Happy Feet films and the sequel to the movie about the pig, Babe.
Three decades after the last Mad Max installment, welcome news arrived with the 2015 premiere of Mad Max: Fury Road. I consider this film an absolute masterpiece, and despite Tom Hardy stepping into Mel Gibson’s role, it remains, in my view, the series’ finest entry, even surpassing my fondness for Mad Max 2. Now, nine years later, we return to the Mad Max universe, not with a direct sequel to Fury Road, but as a prequel exploring the origins of Charlize Theron’s character, Furiosa. The film’s extensive trailer, which played for what seemed an eternity in cinemas, left me with mixed feelings. This was partly due to a lack of strong connection to the character and partly because the visual effects appeared less impressive than those in the nearly decade-old Mad Max: Fury Road. Now, faced with a pristine UHD 4K edition of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, I must delve in and see what George Miller and his team have crafted this time around…
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga plunges the viewer directly into the action, and while certain effects do seem surprisingly dated in comparison to the previous film, this proved less distracting than anticipated. A more noticeable issue was the frequent use of sped-up sequences, seemingly intended to amplify the intensity of the action scenes. While this technique has been a recurring element in Miller’s Mad Max films, its prevalence here prompted me to double-check that the playback speed was correct.
The world and its characters remain as vividly imaginative as in previous installments. The level of detail is remarkable, with new discoveries to be made at every turn. The film is also notably brutal, showcasing Miller’s unbridled vision. Despite the presence of CGI, the filmmakers largely prioritize practical effects, enhancing scenes with computer-generated elements. Several sequences in this film are exceptionally well-executed.
For the first hour of the film’s 148-minute runtime, the protagonist is portrayed by Alyla Browne, who delivers a compelling performance as the twelve-year-old Furiosa. The film’s opening half features several genuinely poignant scenes. Anya Taylor-Joy subsequently takes over the role, and while the decision not to cast Charlize Theron – considering the film is set only four years prior to Fury Road – is somewhat perplexing, perhaps the filmmakers deemed the age difference too significant for Theron to convincingly portray a younger version of herself. Regardless, Taylor-Joy confidently assumes the mantle, delivering a believable portrayal of Furiosa. Furthermore, the film features appearances from familiar faces who met their demise in Fury Road, which is a welcome treat.
Chris Hemsworth, now largely identified with the sometimes-farcical Thor, delivers a refreshing and contrasting performance. His portrayal teeters on the edge of overacting, but ultimately remains effective, revealing unexpected depth towards the film’s conclusion.
Unfortunately, the ending is where the film falters somewhat. While Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga clocks in at nearly two and a half hours, the ending feels remarkably rushed. Crucial plot points are hastily resolved, and significant events transpire without adequate development. This is a significant disappointment, considering the film’s otherwise excellent pacing and balance between narrative and action.
The UHD edition of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga earns top marks across the board. Starting with the visuals, the picture quality is exceptional, boasting vibrant colors and deep blacks. Filmed using the Arri Alexa 65 camera system, the 4K edition suffers no degradation from the source material. Combined with Dolby Vision (HDR), the viewing experience is flawless. This film demands to be seen in this format, allowing viewers to appreciate the incredible level of detail without any noticeable compression artifacts or sluggish panning shots. The elaborate truck chase sequence in the film’s midsection is a cinematic highlight best experienced via this Ultra HD edition.
The Dolby Atmos soundtrack is equally impressive. The film’s relentless momentum is reflected in the immersive sound design. Mirroring the visual presentation, the audio quality is of reference grade. The Bullet Farm sequence towards the film’s climax delivers an extraordinary aural experience.
As an added bonus, the UHD edition includes a wealth of supplementary material. A feature-length documentary, lasting nearly an hour, is accompanied by several shorter, informative, and entertaining pieces.
In conclusion, I found much to admire in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Paired with the exceptionally well-produced UHD edition, it earns a resounding recommendation as a must-see. Whether a sequel materializes in the Mad Max universe remains to be seen, especially given the film’s underwhelming box office performance. However, strong home market sales might offer a glimmer of hope for a future return to this iconic world.
SF Studios provided review copies for this evaluation. Material providers do not influence our editorial content. Our reviews are always written independently, with our readers and consumers as our primary focus.
