Jordyep

5/10

It's more _Solo: A Star Wars Story_ than it is _Better Call Saul_. This is an unnecessary, drawn-out prequel that's more story driven compared to _Fury Road_. From my perspective, this emphasis is a mistake for a franchise which has never used story as its major selling point. I have to ask: what does this really add to Furiosa as a character, the feminist themes of _Fury Road_ or the revenge genre? The answer: not a whole lot. You probably already pieced most of this backstory together in the abstract if you paid attention during _Fury Road_. Because of that, _Furiosa_ quickly becomes predictable and stale, especially with the new characters not being terribly interesting. I loved Hemsworth's zany performance (great voice work), but on the page there's not much there. Tom Burke turns in a really flat performance as the underdeveloped love interest this story didn't need. Anya Taylor-Joy is fine in this role, but she isn't given a lot to do. For the first two chapters, Miller makes a conscious effort to hold back with the more operatic set pieces, instead focussing on Furiosa's childhood with a younger actress. It's not the worst thing ever, but I never felt like the film came off the ground. The film picks up considerably during the war rig attack early on during the third chapter. It's an impressive scene, although it does look considerably more plastic than all the action in _Fury Road_. Sure, it's still way more artistically accomplished than everything else you're going to see this summer, but visually it's a noticeable downgrade. Still, from that point on, the film becomes more entertaining and set piece driven until the credits. None of it feels particularly innovative or original, but George Miller's vision for these movies remains unmatched. The camerawork, worldbuilding and atmosphere are great, although as mentioned before the lighting and CGI could use improvement. Combined with the weak story and character work it never quite manages to turn itself into something I'd recommend, but as the only action tentpole made for adults this summer, maybe consider supporting it. 5/10

AlfieSGD

7/10

While I like the original “Mad Max” trilogy, “Fury Road” from 2015 is by far my favorite of the franchise. My expectations for “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” were correspondingly high, and unfortunately, I have to report that I was a little disappointed in the end. Aside from the thrilling action, one of my favorite aspects of "Fury Road" was its straightforward storytelling. This prequel also follows a fairly standard revenge plot, but I felt there were too many lengths. Accordingly, I never got into the flow that I felt in the predecessor. Nevertheless, there are, of course, some bright spots. For example, it is visually impressive. The action sequences are also strong, and the world remains interesting. Of the actors, I was particularly impressed by Chris Hemsworth as the villain Dementus. He at least looks like he had fun with the part. Meanwhile, Anya Taylor-Joy is perfectly fine as Furiosa, but the role is also a bit monotonous, so there probably wasn't much more she could squeeze out of it. Ultimately, I definitely wouldn't call “Furiosa” a masterpiece. On the one hand, the movie suffers somewhat from being a prequel that doesn't add too much new to what has already been told. On the other hand, the pacing of the story isn't always ideal either, meaning that the movie suffers from a few hiccups. It's a decent addition to the “Mad Max Saga," but unfortunately, not really more than that.

Ritesh Mohapatra

0/10

#Furiosa (⭐⭐⭐⭐) is a relentless, adrenaline-pumping actioner from #GeorgeMiller, set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The film's action sequences are brutal, exciting, and innovative, featuring engaging set pieces and characters. Despite a somewhat thin premise, the action remains a standout. #ChrisHemsworth delivers a compelling performance, his intimidating presence suggesting potential for a spin-off origin film for his character. #AnyaTaylorJoy is commendable, bringing sufficient depth to her role. However, the subplot exploring Furiosa's origins feels weak and underdeveloped. Overall, Furiosa serves as a worthy prequel with unparalleled action choreography, although the climax may feel off and stretched, potentially disappointing fans expecting a stronger ending. Watch or Not? If you liked Mad Max Fury Road, then go for this, action lovers go for this. Keep expectations at bay. #FuriosaAMadMaxSaga #Furiosa #FuriosaReview

Manuel São Bento

0/10

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://talkingfilms.net/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga-review-a-flawed-yet-captivating-dive-into-a-powerful-iconic-protagonist/ "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga deepens its titular protagonist and the respective post-apocalyptic world, offering a captivating origin story that enriches Fury Road, but its excessive runtime, predictability, and time spent addressing the other installment's flaws hinder its enjoyment. The action set pieces lack the same novelty factor and frenetic pace, but the stunts remain impressive. The performances of Anya Taylor-Joy and Alyla Browne as Furiosa deserve praise, as does Chris Hemsworth's insane portrayal of Dementus. Depending on the chosen viewing order, the perspective on both films changes drastically, but in the end, they remain essential recommendations to every movie lover out there." Rating: B+

JP Hastings-Spital

0/10

I really enjoyed this film! It is _a lot_ of explosions and brutality, but it was continually compelling — even as I questioned why I was so invested. At 2h20m it definitely made me feel my sleepy age (I saw it on my 39th birthday, and I was squinting and yawning by the end!) but I felt more impressed that a relatively slow paced film gripped me for so long. It's a proper odyssey, with poor Furiosa only wanting to get home; but the trials she faces grow organically out of the plot and the universe, and give Furiosa a depth I didn't expect from a character/actor who's almost entirely expressionless through the film. This entry in the Mad Max continuum (though I've only watched [the first](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/9659-mad-max), and [Fury Road](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/76341-mad-max-fury-road)) steers away from exploring the whats and whys of the apocalyptic world they live in, tempting though I'm sure it was in a 2024 that has _so many_ parallels, and instead lets us draw our own conclusions. The men in power who lie and rabble-rouse to get the power they desire, just so they can watch the world burn (again); how much we all embrace making ourselves vulnerable for the hope of human connection; the power dynamics and game theory in a world where two thirds of what you need is only necessary because of collective attitudes. I'm certain I'll watch this again—and as a stand-alone film—which, for a long and relatively simple plot, is something very uncommon for me. I hope you enjoy it too! (Originally posted on [byJP](https://www.byjp.me/posts/reviews/movies/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga/))