Whenever there's a remake/sequel of an older film it's a trade off. You're expecting something bigger and brighter and possibly full of CGI, but without the originality and excitement of the first one. The success of Mad Max: Fury Road is that it captures the mad spirit of the originals. It's like a beefed up remake of Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior. This is not surprising, as it's also directed by maverick George Miller, and according to reports he was able to make the film that he wanted.
Right from the start vehicles are set in motion and the chase is on. Max himself takes a slightly peripheral role, and has his face covered for the first hour. Even when he files away his iron mask there's no sudden change, and he's far outshone by Charlize Theron as the Imperator Furiosa. You get the feeling this is the way Max would have wanted it. He drifts in and out of other people's stories, saving their post-apocalyptic communities then disappearing into the crowd, with barely a nod of recognition. It reminds me what a great (and underrated) film Waterworld is. Mad Max is a really dusty Waterworld.
My favourite parts of the movie are the crazy touches that are added but never explained. That simply wouldn't happen in a big studio picture. The big boss and all his cronies are strangely deformed (inbred?) and are supported by a warrior caste of bald and painted maniacs. These warriors are religious fanatics believe when they die they'll be born again in Valhalla, and when they think they;re about to die spray their faces with metallic paint. This doesn't actually do anything except further excite them. The landscapes are incredibly barren, and at their best reminiscent of Conan the Barbarian (the original, certainly not the remake). At one point the big-rig, having temporarily outrun their pursuers, is travelling through the night and the weary passengers are slipping in and out of sleep. They drift through a marshy land with camouflaged men on stilts wading along the water. It looks great.
When I came out of this movie (at 3pm) my head was spinning and the lights seemed far too bright. It's a crazy thrill ride.
Agreed. I loved loved loved this film.
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