By: Kimberly Grant

I’m going to start this review by confessing that I haven’t seen any of the Mad Max movies, because they didn’t appeal to me.  Until now.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga will be in theaters starting May 24.

Going The Franchise Direction

George Miller, who directed and wrote Furiosa (with writing credit also going to Nick Lathouris), is the same person who directed both Happy Feet films and all of the Mad Max films.  It’s safe to write that he has a wide range of talents as a director.  Going into Furiosa, I wasn’t too excited about its steam punk vibe.  However, Miller tells a story of survival and humanity in a unique way with a dash of badassery in the form of the movie’s title character: Furiosa (played by Anya Taylor-Joy).

Miller takes a harsh look at a possible dystopian future if we don’t get our acts together as humans.  In the face of dwindling resources human kind lets its worst qualities shine through.  Those instincts that are under a surface of emotional intelligence and a need to be nice come bubbling up for these characters and sit on their skin like boils.  If that statement paints a vivid image of gore, then it serves its intended purpose.

Origins of A Saga

In Furiosa, we get an origin story of the popular character originally played by Charlize Theron in Mad Max: Fury Road.  In the latest film of the franchise, a young Furiosa (Joy) is kidnapped from her homeland, called the Green Place, and forced to live the life of an orphan in the Wasteland.  For those unfamiliar with the Mad Max franchise, the Wasteland is a desert with no natural resources and inhabited by people who have to fight for basic needs like food, water, and shelter.

The Green Place is the opposite of the Wasteland.  It’s an oasis in comparison.  It has green grass and healthy trees, water, and food from the earth.  The people live peacefully and fight to keep it a secret; for obvious reasons. 

Furiosa gets captured by a prosthetic nose wearing Chris Hemsworth as Dr. Dementus while she’s trying to trying to stop Wasteland people from telling others about the Green Place.  She keeps quiet in order to keep Dementus and his marauders from invading her peaceful homeland.  This takes Furiosa down a fateful path that sees her consistently trying to get back to her homeland. 

Beloved Talent

There were a few reasons why I chose to watch Furiosa after avoiding all of the Mad Max movies.  I like the acting talents of Taylor-Joy.  I really like Hemsworth.  And, I always try to support films with a strong female lead(s). Sadly, in today’s world, there are so many men who would rather die than see a strong woman that it makes me wonder if there are any good men left in the world.  Which brings me to Hemsworth’s character. 

Dr. Dementus is what the name implies.  He’s a ditsy cannibal and a terrible leader.  His only saving grace his need to protect young Furiosa as if she is his daughter.  Granted, it makes him treat her like a cherished poodle.  Beyond the surface, though, is a man who tries to protect Furiosa in his own haphazard way.

Taylor-Joy gives yet another great performance as a young woman who was raised to be tough and cunning in a harsh world where women are treated like property.  Despite numerous things covering her face, Taylor-Joy conveys a lot of emotion in her facial expressions.  Taught to be silent for survival, Furiosa endures insurmountable pain with quiet strength.  Not having watched the previous films, I can only guess that this quiet strength is part of what made the character a fan favorite.

Fan or Something Else?

I’m not a big fan of dystopian desert films.  They make me feel sad and nauseated.  Even though Furiosa is a tragic tale and there are elements of the film that did make me nauseous, it’s still a good film.  Would I watch it a second time?  Probably not.  Should you watch the film?  Sure.  If you like steam punk wasteland adventure films with a badass female lead, then you’re in for a treat.

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You can read more reviews from K. A. Grant via her Entertainment Blog.