Film Name: 疯狂的麦克斯：弗瑞奥萨 / 芙莉欧莎：疯狂麦斯传奇篇章(台) / 芙莉欧莎：末日先锋传说(港) / 疯狂的麦克斯前传 / Mad Max: Furiosa / Furiosa
Before the film, my expectations have been greatly lowered, after all, a film before the release of mixed reviews means, we all understand.
I went into the theatre with this apprehension, and after watching the film I couldn’t help but mutter, ‘What’s wrong with it, isn’t it pretty high?
It’s not easy to say that it’s easy to talk about Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga: in addition to the three Mad Max films of the last century, there’s also 2015’s stunning Mad Max: Fury Road, and the latter’s jewel of a film has been the primary reason why Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga has been criticised.
But what I’m saying is, why does a prequel + outing film that makes Furiosa have to be held to the same standards as its predecessor? It’s perfectly capable of having its own style and character.
A wasteland? It’s too damn wasteland!
Good action sequences and scenes? It’s a bit propped up and full on, but save it!
Then it’s fine.
As for the story not being sharp enough, the characters not being colourful enough, and the pacing not being smooth enough, that depends on how it’s compared, and in any case, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is well above the pass line for a sci-fi/action/adventure film with a wasteland theme, and it’s definitely not a bad watch.
Moving on, let’s talk a bit more about a few of the film’s main points.
Let’s start with the design of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’s wasteland, which is probably the best piece of content the film does, and the one that won me over the most.
Unlike most wastelands (including Mad Max’s predecessor) that go for old-fashioned costumes and scenery, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga doesn’t do this on purpose, but rather establishes a ‘new and dirty’ texture that’s always in a state of ‘getting worn out’. Instead, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga establishes a ‘new and dirty’ texture, and is always in a ‘worn out’ tone, which is another achievement in the ‘wasteland aesthetic’.
Even compared to the previous film, Mad Max: Fury Road, and regardless of the effects, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is no less impressive, at least in terms of conceptual design and content details.
To mention one of the points that stood out to me, there are quite a few specific scenes in the film that depict the disassembly of parts and instant grouping of cars.
For example, in the opening scene where Mama Furiosa is chasing a motorbike gang, she chases the enemy on horseback, then switches to a trophy motorbike, and when that motorbike doesn’t work, the only thing left behind is the motorbike with the tyres removed, so she immediately assembles the motorbike with the tyres and oil that she can use to make sure that she never stops chasing the enemy.
Similarly, there’s the thousands of parts used to assemble the new bike at Old Joe’s house in the middle of the film, and the discarded frame used to go out and make up the rest of the parts at the front before Freiosa chases down Dementes at the end of the film ……
‘Ready-to-go’ is one of the main elements of the wasteland genre, and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga has that in spades.
I also enjoyed the action sequences in the film, and thanks to the good foundation of Mad Max itself, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga builds on that foundation with a number of new twists and turns.
One of the best is the action scene where Furiosa sneaks out of his car for the first time with the Guardian Jacks and is robbed by the Squids.
The film shows every detail of the carjacking scene in every position, each character’s words and deeds, the war boys guarding the car bravely, the carjacking gangsters are vicious, and in the middle and latter parts of the film, Jack and Furiosa are added to the two ‘hero units’ to enhance the whole scene is also dynamic shooting, the whole watch down very enjoyable.
However, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’s copious action sequences also reveal a certain hesitancy, or stubbornness, on the part of writer-director George Miller – he seems to have put out everything that was filmed, not even leaving out how every straggler hangs up, and unless one is thoroughly immersed in it, there’s always the Smelly and long-winded ……
According to a friend of mine, ‘It feels so well-designed that I can’t even cut it’.
Aside from this drag, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is very much in my wheelhouse, and after watching it I was left feeling dirty, dusty, and smelling like motor oil.
I’d also like to mention a couple of things about the film’s star, Anya Taylor-Joy, whose shortcomings are glaringly obvious and thankfully not so bad as to ruin the film.
Like many people, I questioned whether Anya could play Furiosa well, after all, she’s a little too skinny and a little too ‘pretty’, whereas Theron in Mad Max: Fury Road balanced her size with her looks… …it was inevitable that Anna would be outclassed either way.
In hindsight, this concern is largely true, but the film has compensated and done enough to build on its strengths and avoid its weaknesses.
For example, if she’s thin and slender, she’ll be given loose, oversized clothes to cover her up, and if she’s delicate, she’ll try to look as dirty as possible while highlighting her big eyes. …… Practically speaking, these efforts are not in vain, and Anya’s Furiosa is fine, even if she can’t do a good job of resembling her, but she’s still capable of getting a few moments of resemblance.
Lastly, let’s talk about Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’s villain, Dementes. In fact, when I watched the film, I always despised this character, who is ruthless, posturing and lacking in tactics, and who only accelerates destruction and entropy, lacking the soul of a quality villain! –Until his heartfelt speech after being subdued by Furiosa.
It’s not that Dementes doesn’t know what’s wrong with him, it’s just that he just can’t help but play bigger, pursuing one crazier thrill after another until he moves towards extinction.
How is this not George Miller’s way of lending his mouth to spouting off about the audience’s increasing thresholds and lack of satisfaction?
‘Maybe I’m not up to it anymore, and the films aren’t as enjoyable, but first of all, it’s still that you guys have watched too many cool films and cool videos, and you’re numb! The walking dead!’
Hahaha, all in all, I still like and recommend this Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, for those who are interested or on the fence, please don’t miss it.
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