'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga', the prequel to George Miller’s 'Mad Max: Fury Road' and the fifth addition to the Mad Max franchise, attempts to fill in the backstory of Imperator Furiosa, originally played by Charlize Theron and now portrayed by Anya Taylor Joy.
The film follows Furiosa’s journey from a haughty child to becoming a force to reckon with and thus earning the description of the “darkest of angels, fifth rider of the apocalypse.”
Early in the movie, a young Furiosa is seen plucking an apple before being captured by Dementus’s (Chris Hemsworth) men, evoking the symbolism of the forbidden fruit. “The Green Place of Many Mothers” is shown in the beginning, and the rest of the film takes place in the gritty desert.
The Doof Warrior, or the unforgettably crazy masked guitarist from 'Fury Road', is conspicuously absent, with only a glimpse of him in the second half. The soundtrack of 'Furiosa' also fails to leave a lasting impression, unlike the epic metal score of its predecessor.
The movie has its standout moments, such as the scene depicting how Furiosa loses her hand and an intense chase with her newly introduced mentor. However, the clips from 'Fury Road' shown during the end credits provide more goosebumps than the scenes within the film itself. Additionally, the use of CGI in Furiosa feels more prominent than in Fury Road.
Pacing is another area where Furiosa diverges from its sequel. While 'Fury Road' maintained a tight, riveting pace, 'Furiosa' often feels slower, and may make some viewers restless. This might be attributed to its nature as a prequel, focusing more on character development and backstory.
Chris Hemsworth’s Dementus, who torments Furiosa, falls short of being a truly menacing villain. Instead, his character becomes a source of comic relief, with his dialogues making him more sympathetic by the end. Alyla Browne, playing Young Furiosa, delivers a more compelling performance compared to Anya’s portrayal.
'Fury Road' ended with a quote attributed to The First History Man. A History Man plays a significant role in 'Furiosa', serving as a dictionary and encyclopedia to the Biker Horde. In one scene, he is asked to define human tears, showing the film's attempt at touching the emotional elements.
Despite scoring higher on the emotional scale, 'Furiosa' does not incite the same frenzied excitement as 'Fury Road'. Lower your expectations a bit, and Furiosa is an engaging movie.
Furiosa is currently running and can be “witnessed” in theatres.
Movie: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Director: George Miller
Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke
Rating: 3.0
