Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
I watched “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” almost a week ago, and as I write this review, I can’t help but feel a bit melancholic. It’s not because the movie isn’t good—because it is. It’s not even because it doesn’t quite reach the heights of its predecessor—very few films do. What saddens me is the realization that this might be the last movie in the franchise, simply because people don’t seem to care about going to the cinema anymore.⠀
This might sound dramatic, but it’s a harsh reality. People now prefer streaming movies at home, not realizing that without the cinema experience, many of these films might never get made. We’ve seen a year of box office flops, each with its own set of explanations, but none quite as stark as now.⠀
“Mad Max: Fury Road” was a massive hit, and this franchise is designed to be experienced on the big screen. With huge stars and an impressive trailer, “Furiosa” had all the ingredients for success. So why did it fail? The simple answer is its budget—$165 million. When compared to a film like “Godzilla Minus One,” which cost $15 million, it’s hard to justify why “Furiosa” needed to cost 11 times more.⠀
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The movie looks fantastic, but compared to the first, it feels like a step down. The action sequences are incredible, but again, a step down from “Fury Road.” Despite knowing that much of the action was done with practical effects, it somehow feels more artificial and CGI-heavy, detracting from the original’s raw experience.
One similarity to the first film is how a side character steals the show. In “Fury Road,” Charlize Theron’s Furiosa was so compelling that she warranted a sequel. In “Furiosa,” it’s the impressive and magnetic Chris Hemsworth who shines in every scene. Anya Taylor-Joy does a great job, but her character feels so restrained that it’s hard for the audience to connect with her.
George Miller is a visionary director, and that’s undeniable. However, the bar was set so high with “Fury Road” that it made expectations nearly impossible to meet. What Miller demonstrates with this movie is that there is a vast universe to explore. Perhaps by focusing on different parts of this post-apocalyptic world and telling smaller, more confined stories with smaller budgets, this franchise can survive. But it’s unlikely to see another $165 million budget again.
Do you want to see more movies in the Mad Max universe?
