Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga movie review (2024)

Miller is so assured at studying an viewers, he even crafts an elongated chase that sees Furiosa driving throughout the wasteland with Praetorian Jack (Tom Burke) on an oil run that offers Taylor-Pleasure and the character the proper entrance: a hard-push in for a worthy close-up. Although Burke is on display for a comparatively brief time, he and Taylor-Pleasure construct fast chemistry as two misplaced souls who consider that paradise nonetheless exists someplace on this planet in the event that they comply with the map of stars tattooed on Furiosa’s forearm. 

If it appears like Hemsworth is an also-ran, he isn’t. Which is odd to say as a result of he's saddled with a horrible wig and an obtrusive prosthetic nostril, and even disappears for lengthy stretches. Nonetheless, at any time when he does present up, he is likely to be the most effective a part of “Furiosa.” He doesn’t simply get the most effective, extra immediately quotable strains. He has by no means been extra bodily commanding, first as a poised messiah and swindler, then as a blow-hard politician, then as an emperor with no garments on. The mix of Dementus’ wit, callousness, and chilly calculations is a persona Hemsworth has labored on for a while and all of it comes collectively right here for an unforgettable villain flip.  

I can actually nitpick about what components I want in “Fury Street” versus “Furiosa.” There’s way more VFX within the latter, inflicting me to overlook among the thrills Miller impressed along with his unflinching use of sensible impact. I additionally assume that “Fury Street” acts on a subtler thematic stage, which is saying one thing, as a result of the visible language in that movie—for as immaculate because the craftsmanship is—principally bashes you over the top. “Furiosa” goes one step additional; each line of dialogue flags the metaphorical significance of each scene. And but, it’s straightforward to disregard these tiny grievances not solely since you’re left marveling on the large swing Miller is taking, but in addition as a result of his curiosity on this world, these characters, and one of these large, daring storytelling is so infectious. There’s additionally a personality named piss boy, so this actually is a film with one thing for everybody.