Completely bonkers non-stop action!

Rating: 9/10 (24 January 2016)

In a post-apocalyptic world ex-cop Max is captured by a group known as the 'War Boys' who work for the tyrant Immortan Joe. Taken to their Citadel he finds himself used as a blood supply for Nux; a sick War Boy. When one of Joe's senior lieutenants, Imperator Furiosa, frees his 'wives' and drives into the desert in her war-rig the War Boys give chase accompanied by Max who is chained to one of their vehicles. After an initial confrontation Max frees himself and joins forces with Furiosa. Together with Joe's wives they head east hoping to find the Green Place. It won't be easy as Joe and all of his War Boys as well as their allies are in pursuit; he is determined to get his wives back and punish Furiosa for her treachery.
If you are looking for something deep and meaningful this isn't the movie for you however if you want non-stop adrenalin-pumping mindless action then prepare to have a great time. Little time is wasted on exposition before we are thrown into the action which barely lets up till the film is over. The plot is fairly basic but that doesn't matter. The film looks great; I was immediately stunned by the burnt orange desert landscape in which the action takes place. That action is thrilling as it constantly looks as though things go badly for our protagonists. Tom Hardy does a fine job as Max but it is Charlize Theron who dominates the film as Furiosa; her character is more interesting than Max as it is her motivations that drive the narrative; Max is a victim of circumstance who finds himself along for the ride. As one might expect there is a good variety of strange vehicles and even stranger characters. Overall I'd definitely recommend this to anybody looking for insane non-stop action; it is certainly a welcome addition to the Mad Max series of films.