Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), R, ★★★★

Mad Max is resurrected again: featuring Tom Hardy. 

Ah, yes. Mad Max. The adrenaline is high and my mind is out of control so let me gather my thoughts for a second. Action movies have been a problem recently as how characters have been developed, how the story, or how minimalistic the story is, is being put into the play and how the action sequences need to be a bit fun and cheesy and not self-serious and boring like the Transformers movies. Well, the first one was not that bad, but, no matter. However, coming it into this movie, seeing the trailers and all, I expected to be a fun and good time at the movies. I expected the movie good but I did not expect it to become one of the best action films of the decade, possibly, the best action film of the decade.

In a distant future, the world is a desert wasteland and civilization has dwindled to impoverished circumstances. "Mad Max" Rockatansky (Tom Hardy) was once a cop and a road warrior trekking through post-apocalyptic Australia, running from his thoughts of his dead wife and child, and is quickly pursued by scavengers called the War Boys, pale and blistered due to sickness, and capture him. The army is led by the tyrannical leader, Immortal Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne from the original Mad Max film who was also the main villain). He is a sublime villain who wears a mask of horse teeth to help him breathe. Water has become a great resource for people and the people becomes furious as Joe shuts it off.

Meanwhile, Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron), a commander for Joe, drives off to the heavily-armored Oil Rig to collect gasoline and alerts Joe that his Five Wives - women selected for breeding are gone. Therefore, Joe assembles his army to pursue Furiosa and the women. One of the War Boys, Nux (Nicolas Hoult), uses Max as a blood-bag to go pursue Furiosa and head to Valhalla. And, then the rest of the movie is basically a chase sequence, a sensational chase sequence.

Nux and the War Boys find Furiosa and Nux attempts to get close to the Rig as Max attempts to break free as Furiosa drives into a huge oncoming sand storm filled with sand, wind and fire. "What a day! WHAT A LOVELY DAY!" A few War Boys get killed and Nux and Max crash. While Nux is unconscious, Max tries to escape but the women - Angharad (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley), Toast the Knowing (Zoe Kravitz), Capable (Riley Keough), Cheedo the Fragile (Courtney Eaton and the Dag (Abbey Lee) - sees him as they take care of themselves. Initially, Furiosa and Max do not get along but Max and Furiosa make a deal to go with the women to a location called the Green Place while Nux sneakily gets on-board. Now, it's on.

Charlize Theron, Nicolas Hoult and company. 

HOLY CRAP! This is a great action movie for the ages. I cannot comprehend as to how minimalistic the plot is and how surprisingly driven and emotional the narrative is, the action sequences take over the entire movie with humor, crisp direction and sensational cinematography. This is how you craft an action film with stakes and suspense that will blow your mind. Director George Miller, the creator of the Mad Max trilogy, is back at the helm and reminds us no matter how epic a blockbuster can be, it can be done in such a fashionable way that can make a film poetic and visionary with its sheer audacity and dialogue and craftsmanship.

You might ask me whether or not I have seen the original Mad Max trilogy and for you, the readers, I have seen the three movies in preparation for this film because I have never seen them. Briefly, I thought the first movie was a solid and fun ride with the suspense coming on a little too late in the picture. The Road Warrior is fantastic with a depth of how desolate the world is with a minimal supply of petroleum and how Max rediscovers humanity. Beyond Thunderdome had a great set-up and premise but somehow the whole movie is dumbed down when the movie focuses on the children. Nevertheless, I sort of enjoyed it. There you have it. I was caught up. But, this movie is up there with the 2nd movie, maybe better than the 2nd movie.

Tom Hardy gives his own performance full of silence, fear and aggressiveness that makes his own character of Max a distinct and vulnerable character that he wants to redeem himself and restore humanity like Mel Gibson as the original Mad Max. He's quite right for the role and establishes him as a great action star in a lead even though he was great in Locke, one of the underrated and best films of 2014. But, it is Charlize Theron's movie as her character is tough and strong and memorable with authenticity with defending herself and also finding the women a way home. Her character is up there with Ripley from Alien, Sarah Conner from T2, and Sgt. Rose Vrataski from Edge of Tomorrow. She's fantastic and disappears in her role. Nicolas Hoult does not give a one-dimensional performance but a character of adrenaline but with some inner hope and sympathy towards the main characters. Also, the women who portray the five wives have something to do than sit and do nothing and they have agenda towards their characters and the plot.

Miller, a director at 70, has restored some faith in the action genre and I missed that in good hard-core and R-rated action films because lately, the action has been a bit cartoonish and tame such as The Expendables trilogy, even though the 2nd movie is not bad. Filmmakers, who want to craft an action film, need to watch this movie. It should be required. Cinematographer John Seale should get nominated for an Oscar next year for creating such an austere, palpable and isolated environment where there are no holds barred during the action sequences. Junkie XL creates a driven score that gets audiences going, too.

Let's get straight to the point. This is one of the best movies of the year and a blockbuster is capable to become more than entertainment. I had a fun time at the movies and the bar is set so high for the other films of the summer and potentially, other blockbusters of the year to establish a film of majestic poetry. Maybe, Star Wars VII can be back in that form. Go to the theaters and have a lovely day watching an artistic masterpiece.

****