Some kind of a miracle

Rating: 10/10 (17 May 2015)

When I first came out of Fury Road, I wasn't sure what to think, nor did I know how the critics would respond to it. The critics spoke–and were nearly unanimous in their praise. But I knew I had to see it again for myself, to see if I would be swept up in the chorus of praise, or if, in sorrow, I would have to admit the film I had so longed to see, the film so many deemed a masterpiece, was in fact unworthy of its laurels.
But you see those ten stars at the top. You know how this story ends.
I'll say it now–Fury Road is the best film in at least 18 months, and the best summer blockbuster in five years. I delighted at George Miller's "mastermind" billing in the trailers, but it was absolutely justified. He draws on aspects of the original trilogy, from small touches (the little music box, for one) to primary themes–the damning social critique of Mad Max, the relentless brutality of The Road Warrior, and the post-apocalyptic grotesquerie of Beyond Thunderdome. Here, working with a budget far greater than the budgets of the originals combined, he has crafted a film which draws from and, in my opinion, exceeds them.
He, and an incredibly talented team, have made a masterpiece.
Cinematography, editing, score, makeup, production design...all of the highest order. Spot-on acting. Perfect direction. Two full hours and not a wasted moment.