The film I'll show my son to let him know he has become a man.

Rating: 9/10 (27 May 2015)

This flick should not have worked. Not only is it yet another 80's remake but even more worrying, yet another entry into the post- apocalyptic genre that is so much in vogue right now. But there was something promising about those trailers though. . . Even from the opening credits you get the sense that this is not gonna be a conventional ride; something in the lettering that suggests a time where films were made for pure entertainment. The movie is set in the near future but this is no cutesy tween franchise in the making, designed to capture that ever important 12 to 17 demographic.
Oh, f*** no.
There are no spunky heroines, no games, no mazes and no adorable robots learning how to love. What you have is the dirty, broken remnants of humanity trying to survive. The setting is dystopian in the true sense of the word, a gritty, grimy and grotesque world where mankind is barely holding on, their bodies ravaged by disease, where water is a precious commodity and a healthy baby is valued more than anything. This is a world of fire and blood, life or death ride on a whim and damn if it isn't a beautiful thing to watch. The mayhem starts from the opening scene and doesn't let up until its dusty, breathless ending. Director George Miller and veteran cinematographer John Seale have crafted a maniacal and delirious romp through the gorgeous Namibian desert and created what is, essentially, a 2-hour long car chase scene that looks amazing; vehicular manslaughter as grand spectacle. The main reason for making this film seems to be the director wanting to answer the question: what kind of movie can be made if you have no concern at all for stuntmen safety. For most of the running time there are people jumping on, over, below and, in one memorable sequence, even swinging from poles around moving vehicles, Miller and Seale capturing every vertiginous shot with precise expertise. You are going to come out of this movie exhausted and dusting sand from your clothes.
As Max Rockatansky Tom Hardy brings that quiet intensity he is famous for but, despite the title, this is Charlize Theron's movie and the story is mostly presented from her point of view. As Imperator Furiosa she carries the film's McGuffin, all lovely five of them, and some of the most poignant scenes. For even if this is a damned and barren place it is not, entirely a man's world. Women are very much a part of it and can be lethal too. A movie about cars, violence and explosions that still manages to empower women? Not even all 7 Fast & Furious flicks can match this ride for ferocity and enjoyment.
Now, some may complaint that the story is hard to follow, and to be honest, I had a difficult time following the Australian accents. But this is mostly the gripes of a public used to having the plot spoon fed to them like delicious apple sauce. There is no hand-holding here, no lengthy exposition to ease you into this world of woe. This is just not that kind of movie. The director has much more respect for his audience than that. The earth is f***ed, humanity is dying, get used to it. Not that you will have too much to ponder what is going on with all the craziness happening on the screen. Fast cars, explosions, fights, a dude playing the guitar, even a goddamn tornado! And you want to worry about backstory? Naah, son. You walked into the wrong theater. Now, sit back, shut up, and enjoy the glorious madness. Oh what a lovely day indeed!
Parent's brief: Rated R. Running time: 120 minutes On Sex and Violence: This is gonna sound a little counterintuitive after reading the preceding review but, there is actually not that much graphic violence in the film. I'm not saying bring the little ones. That R rating is there for a reason, but most of the violence is cleverly implied. There is some nudity but no sexual situations.