Hope in the Wasteland

Rating: 10/10 (5 June 2015)

Feels like hope. Recalling these words to sum up my feelings for the return of George Miller and the state of tentpole action films, after seeing the exhilarating, feminist, sense- shattering, visual orgasm that is MAD MAX: FURY ROAD.
Miller & co. has created one the best action films (PLUS chase film, post-apocalyptic film, and genre film) that I have ever seen. Being a film that has little-to-no exposition, it tells its very rich story through action and movement, and allows the audience to pick up details about the characters, their backstories, and motivations-- this is masterful work of visual storytelling and filmmaking which also becomes a universal language.
It has been reported that Miller and his story team (Brandon McCarthy, Peter Pound, and Mark Sexton) created 3,500 storyboards to plan out and basically "write" the film and it shows. Add the talents of cinematographer John Seale (pulled out of retirement for this film!) and the film creates a vibrant and emotional visual energy throughout. Most of the action is real, physical, immersive, and has a wonderful flow to it all. This is a film that can be watched over a dozen times, and you can still find something new and interesting within each detailed-pack scene. It's an amazing feat for any filmmaker.
George Miller is back in the wasteland and it has never looked so beautiful.