Thunderdome Shmunderdome - This is landmark movie-making

Rating: 8/10 (17 May 2015)

Wow! Mad Max: Fury Road lived up to the expectations set by its trailer. And I know I need to see it again. In fact, this movie was so intense that there were scenes I actually needed to see again while they were still ongoing.
But here's the weird part: As epic and spectacular as Fury Road is, I still think the first two are better films (and Fury Road certainly makes up for the letdown that was Beyond Thunderdome, even though it was a long time coming). Maybe it will become clearer why I think that by the end of the review. Maybe not.
I'm just gonna throw out some thoughts about the movie. After watching this I don't have the energy for an in-depth analysis.
See it in 3D in the largest, loudest format you can.
I like that there is a bit more backstory and humanizing dialog among what would otherwise appear to be minor villains. Even just basic chit-chat like "Hey, where are we going?" is refreshing compared to Wez's screaming.
There are a few surprisingly emotional scenes that add a level of complexity to Immortan Joe that is unusual for any Mad Max villain, but these were the exception, and overall he felt somewhat underdeveloped as a character.
I didn't expect it, but the weak link here is Tom Hardy. Early on, it seemed that he was trying very hard - and succeeding - to channel the desperation, mistrust, and ultimate survival skills of the Max Rockatansky we first met 36 years ago. But then it sort of falls apart and he settles for a weird hybrid British/Australian/American accent and an overall bland performance. This Max is no Bane. He's barely even the Scarecrow.
So, in the end, I blame Mel Gibson that this movie wasn't quite as good as it could have been. If not for the various misbehaviors that put him out of public favor, this could have been a great opportunity for him to reprise the role of Max. On the other hand, Fury Road is not so much about Max as it is about the story (which is super-basic, I can see why some people complain about lack of plot).
The action is practically non-stop. What seems like a bit of a lull in the middle is probably no more than 5 minutes long.
The score is big and bold, and fits the action in most cases, though it is a bit too orchestral and less frantic or desperate than the themes in Mad Max or Mad Max 2. *Edit* After multiple viewings, I retract the previous statement. The score, particularly during the motorcycle attack, is perfectly majestic and heroic and urgent and stirs exactly the right emotions.
In fact, that's another minor complaint. This movie is hyper-polished: Every scene is visually perfect. Every background sound is orchestrated. Not a piece of rust or a jagged spike is out of place. It's a dystopian utopia.
Oh yeah, I kind of wished they'd been consistent and used another Mack Truck for the war rig, but oh well, I guess the OshKosh or whatever military truck they used was heavier duty. And I have to say - the vehicles in this movie were insane - crazier than any Hot Wheels car I've ever seen.
Sure, there's a fair amount of "Men are bad" in this movie, but let's be real: most of the men in this movie are bad and men in real life are pretty bad a lot of the time too. I think real men ought to be able to handle this plot element without throwing a conniption. Besides, if George Miller was serious about the feminism angle he wouldn't have had one of the Vuvalini riding a Gold Wing in the post-apocalypse.
There are lots of really cool touches in the movie in the action sequences. Just to mention a few without spoiling them too much: The cowcatcher on the war rig is quite functional, and never siphon dragster fuel by mouth...
The ending works well. Sure, it's kind of a happy ending, but with only one really happy ending out of four movies, you can't complain that George Miller is trying to blow sunshine up your a**.
I'm sure I need to see this movie again, probably multiple times, just to absorb more of the stunt sequences. But I'm not necessarily sure I want to see it again as much as I did Mad Max or Mad Max 2. So in the end, Fury Road, with all its greatness, has made me appreciate even more the characterizations, tone, and gritty vision in the first 2 films.
Still, Mad Max: Fury Road is definitely a landmark in sequels/reboots/re-imaginings, and it puts George Miller in a rare league that not even George Lucas and Spielberg could enter with their weak reduxes of Star Wars and Indiana Jones.
Here's my precise ratings of the series:
Mad Max: 8.625/10; Mad Max 2 (The Road Warrior): 9/10; Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome: 6.8/10; Mad Max: Fury Road 8.5/10