Demented and fabulous

Rating: 8/10 (26 May 2015)

I like my action films, especially if they're done with style and originality. It might surprise you, therefore, to hear that I've never seen the original Mad Max films. Maybe it was Mel Gibson that put me off (I never thought he was a good actor, although I did really enjoy How I Spent My Summer Vacation). Anyway, I feel it gives me the objectivity to properly address the merits of Mad Max: Fury Road. It feels like so much more than the sum of it's parts - it's certainly not Tom Hardy's best work to date, although he makes a sufficiently game Max, so the way is open for Charlize Theron and Nicholas Hoult to steal the show. Early on I found myself distracted by questions of how most people survive in this dystopian future, but the whole thing steamrollers its way across the screen with such demented fun that I soon forgot all about that. If you don't like explosions and lots of shouting, this might not be the film for you. Having said that, the mayhem is punctuated by moments of calm to make sense of the narrative, and when all hell is breaking loose (which is most of the time), it puts Michael Bay to shame. Shame on you, Michael Bay, why can't you make films as good as this? The budgets are certainly big enough.... Where was I? Oh yes, sum of its parts. Plot. Really, what plot? If it's plot your after, don't come looking for it here. I haven't seen a film with such a paper-thin one since, well, er...John Wick? Okay, not that long ago. But my point is still valid. Which is that there isn't much of a plot. But who cares when it's so damn cool? Also, see it in 3D. No really! I usually hate 3D versions of films, but this is worth it just for one scene late on in the film (relax, no spoilers). I had a great time watching this at the cinema. What a day. WHAT A LOVELY DAY!!!