Non-hero returns to the silver screen in fight the good fight in the apocalyptic ruins of Australia in “Mad Max: Fury Road.”
Taking the lead as titular hero from Mel Gibson last seen in the 1985 threequel “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome,” Tom Hardy (“The Dark Knight Rises”) now plays Max Rockatansky or also known by his nickname Mad Max (aka The Road Warrior, Raggedy Man and The Man with No Name) who once more ventures out into a vast empty wilderness in which all rules of law and order are replaced by sheer insanity.
A man of few words, Max pits his fighting skills and prowess against the evil gangster Nix, played with vest by Nicholas Hoult (“X-Men Days of Future Past”) and since this film is playing to a new generation who most likely has not seen any of the Mad Max films, you are in for something very special indeed.
Written for the screen and directed by George Miller, the Mad Max films are known for their spectacular stunts and wilding animated chase scenes.
This edition of Mad Max is no different.
Not for the faint of heart, Mad Max starts out at full octane and never ever stops.
Unfortunately since most movie theaters do not come with defibrillators for patrons with weak heart muscles, this film is not for the faint of heart and parents should not be taking anyone under the age of 17.
This time, coming along for the “ride” is the great Charlize Theron (“Monster”) as Imperator Furiosa.
Hey, it’s a Mad Max movie so what you and I would go for “normal” doesn’t even come close.
Like Max, Theron’s Furiosa is likewise a woman with little dialogue as she and her female companions are searching for a way back to their childhood homeland.
Good luck on that.
With Nix and his gang barreling down the highway at breakneck speed with a veritable motorized army of makeshift armored battle tanks, the only thing standing in their way is … you guessed it … Mad Max. A former police officer whose wife and child are savagely murdered (see the original Mad Max movie), Hardy says more with his facial expressions than mere words can say.
Did you read about the spectacular stunts? You won’t believe what director Miller has cooked up. It is simply amazing and coming in at a solid 120 minute running time, “Mad Max: Fury Road” ends exactly where it began. No spoilers here but each of the “Mad” movies has the protagonist looking into the sunset as a job well done has his compatriots well along their chosen way. This version is no different.
But within this 120 minute span are bodies galore, clothed and unclothed peeling off in every direction and perhaps the longest, most brutal car chase seen ever put onto film.
Fans of the first three “Mad” movies may be disappointed in this go around as Gibson, still able to act with the best of them, has been jettisoned for Hardy. I personally like the Road Warrior and Thunderdome films, but I’m also old enough to remember Neil Armstrong on live black and white TV, walking on the Moon.
That should tell you something.
Here is the best way to describe this film… watching “Mad Max: Fury Road” is like drinking a six pack of supercharged, ultra-caffeinated sodas, then being forcefully strapped to your theater seat, your shoes and socks ripped off and your feet plunged into a bucket of ice water as 100,000 volts start to course through your veins.
Macbeth it isn’t folks.
“Mad Max: Fury Road” delivers on all counts—action, adventure and… well madness that only someone as insanely crazy as Mr. Rockatansky can deliver. Okay. I’m ready. Suit me up and set me loose into the vast apocalyptic world of Mad Max. Anyone want to come along for the ride of your life?
