9. The Green Place Doesn't Exist - Mad Max: Fury Road
Mad Max: Fury Road clings to a story about the titular character, Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy), and his mission to reach "The Green Place" - the last hospitable terrain in a wasteland made up of sand and dust. Teamed with the infinitely badass Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron), who betrays bad guy Immortan Joe when she steals his wives, Max crosses the harsh desert whilst being pursuit by hordes of raving maniacs. Two thirds through the movie, though, there's a twist: Max and Furiosa meet up with the latter's estranged friends, and they unveil a horrible truth. The elusive "Green Place" is dead and gone, consumed and destroyed and now part of the endless wasteland. The characters have essentially made their long and perilous journey for nothing. It's a crushing blow - not only to Max, Furiosa and the other characters, but also to the audiences. And yet, it's this unique twist that gives Mad Max: Fury Road its thrilling final act. The movie switches from "chase" to "race," as the gang decide to turn back and return the way that they came - and try to kill the Immortal Joe and his horde en route.
Sam Hill is an ardent cinephile and has been writing about film professionally since 2008. He harbours a particular fondness for western and sci-fi movies.
