Mad Max Fury Road: 5 Awesome Moments And 5 That Sucked
Hit, miss, and Max
After numerous delays, pre-productions problems, and several years languishing in development hell, George Miller finally unveiled his new Mad Max movie last weekend. Miller actually conceived the idea for a fourth instalment all the way back in 1998, and in 2001 the movie was set to shoot through 20th Century Fox with Mel Gibson reprising the role of Max Rockatansky. But, when the budget ballooned as a result of the destruction of the World Trade Centre, Miller was forced to postpone.
2003 was a similarly cursed year to attempt production as the Iraq War broke out and Mad Max 4 was viewed as a "politically sensitive film." At this point Gibson lost interest, but Miller remained confident that the movie could still happen and, years later, it was officially announced that Mad Max: Fury Road would shoot in Namibia in 2011. Tom Hardy replacing Gibson in the lead.
Even then the shoot was plagued with problems Fury Road is here, and it was most definitely worth the wait. Well, for the most part.
Yes it's critically acclaimed and is sure to make a big impact at the box office, but no movie is perfect. As terrific as Mad Max: Fury Road undoubtedly is, it does have its share of issues.
Here are the 5 best, and 5 worst things about the film...
10. Ruled: The Action Scenes
It's probably not a surprise to hear that the action is top notch in a Mad Max movie, but Miller, his stunt team, choreographers and cinematographer have really outdone themselves here. A reliance on practical effects and stunts (they even drafted in Cirque Du Soleil performers for one jaw dropping scene) over CGI means you are always completely immersed in the carnage, and, as OTT as things get at times, it actually manages to stay the right side of believable.
Far too many modern blockbusters lose the run of themselves during the action set pieces, and things get so convoluted that it can be hard to figure out what's going on. But that's never the case with Fury Road, even when nomadic bikers are soaring over a flaming-guitar wielding lunatic, while pole-vaulting acrobats attempt to retrieve half-naked ladies from a convoy of warring vehicles.
Yes, really.