George Miller's Intended Vision Finally Realized

Rating: 10/10 (29 June 2015)

Some 36 years ago completely unknown director George Miller released what went on to be one the biggest cult action films in history, Mad Max. Starring the also unknown at the time, Mel Gibson. Who much like Harrison Ford in Star Wars released only 2 years earlier, was the lone star of the film to make it big in Hollywood. Mel would go onto become on the biggest names in Hollywood throughout the 80's and 90's while director George Miller fell into obscurity, maintaining a presence as a working Director, but releasing radically different films like the animated hit children's film Happy Feet. I didn't have the highest hopes for Mad Max: Fury Road when I first got wind of it some 4+ years ago. I grew up as big fan of the original Mad Max trilogy as my dad is a huge fan of Mel Gibson. I knew that Fury Road was going through production hell and always was scrapped entirely with how long the process was taking, some 10+ years with changing stories, actors, etc.
When I finally heard that they were in pre-production and had a set cast in Charlize Theron, and Nicholas Hoult, I anxiously waited word on who the new Mad Max was going to be. My original bet and hope was for Terminator Salvation / Avatar actor Sam Worthington, when they announced Tom Hardy, I thought to myself...okay, okay. After seeing the first full length trailer, I was jaw dropped. I knew that George finally achieved in making the film he envisioned making some 36 years ago. Mad Max, the way he saw it in his head. Everyone delivers an amazing performance. Including the unknown Hugh Keays-Byrne, who is only well known for his role as Toecutter in the original Mad Max film.
I think what baffles me the most is how in the world this movie gets made. Honestly? How does a director at the age of 70! Who is only known primarily for a film series with a mere cult following at best, get granted a $150 million dollar budget!? Unlike Star Wars which established a massive following in it's time before releasing it's newest trilogy. George Lucas also maintained a heavy industry presence in writing films (Indiana Jones) before the new Star Wars trilogy was announced. That was also a mere 16 year difference between the release of Return of the Jedi and The Phantom Menace.
I think what helped this film was the nature of the story, it's even more relative today than 30+ years ago, it follows a central "post apocalyptic" theme that is also very popular now. It appeals to adults young and old, admirers of the original "Mad Max" story, and those looking for a good action film. I'm so excited that this movie was able to get made. I'm still mind boggled by it, but still very happy that this movie got made. I saw it a month ago and I'm still geeking out about it.
To put it simply, this is to the original Mad Max Trilogy, to that of what George Lucas hoped for with the Star Wars prequels.