Heroism in a sordid world.

Rating: 9/10 (4 June 2015)

The first half of this movie was almost entirely dominated by special effects which obscured the story. The second half was much more intense, as the relationship between Max and Furiosa developed. Charlize Theron was marvelous as Furiosa. Her character is the most developed and the one with whom the audience could empathize. The same could not be said for Max. He is a wanderer; we know little else about him. The world is harsh, and Max is a battered wreck who is barely surviving. Furiosa is also battered, but she is beautiful, as well as heroic and idealistic. She is willing to risk her life for others in a world where the value of human life is zero. Max also is heroic, but yet is still a wanderer. The post-apocalyptic world is presented starkly. It is a wasteland where resources are scare and whoever controls the resources has power. There is a dictator who reigns through terror and controls the resources. He is the bad guy. But is Max a good guy? The cast is excellent; their performances are powerful. Although this movie is science fiction, its premise, that civilization can collapse, is not without plausibility. Tom Hardy performs excellently as Max. Although brutalized, Max maintains his dignity. The question is whether he and Furiosa and trust each other. To find out what happens, watch the movie.