Absolutely crackers!

Rating: 9/10 (28 May 2015)

After a 30 year gap, George Miller at last returns to his road-warrior franchise set in a dystopian future, this time starring Tom Hardy in the title role. However, the film is misnamed – his partner in mayhem, Imperator Furiosa, superbly played by Charlize Theron, provides all the motivation and purpose for the (thin) plot and story. Max, unwillingly at first, is just along for the ride. The ride in question though, is a thrill-a-minute chase across arid desert and rocky canyons infested with all kinds of post-apocalyptic low-lifes intent on stopping or capturing Furiosa's fortified articulated lorry – the War-rig.
Furiosa is a driver for the local warlord, a horrendous character named Immortan Joe who seems to have fathered an entire race of warriors and uses them, along with his control of the water supply, to enforce his will on the ragged and desperate population. Joe has five favourite concubines he uses as breeding stock and Furiosa's mission is for her to return to her childhood home and save Joe's women at the same time. Naturally, Joe is reluctant to part with his harem and so pursues his erstwhile employee which provides a frame on which to hang two hours of hugely enjoyable chaos which often makes little sense but never fails to entertain and amuse.
Miller must have enjoyed the advent of CGI, it enables this film to be what the first three films never could be, although, to be fair, the CGI is used sparingly and heavy reliance is placed on daring and dangerous stunts. If there was an Oscar for stuntmen this film would be right up there! The cinematography is stupendous and set and costume design are sumptuous and convincing.
This film may only attract technical awards by the Academy, but believe me it's an evening's entertainment not to be missed.
The only real criticism I have is that the character of Max is not developed in any real way, save for the flashbacks he gets at critical and often inconvenient moments. Max has very little dialogue and very little emotional input to the film. Hardy does very well with what he was given but I hope that the next film has him open Max up a bit more in some ways.
Welcome back Max! 9 out of 10.