A New Perspective on the Desert
Popular wisdom teaches us that the volume of one’s voice does not make one right. Despite the fury unleashed in Furiosa, the prequel to the reboot, we must not lose sight of its essence. What was a reinvention, novelty and revolution in Mad Max: Fury Road, is transformed into laziness, repetition and a worn-out formula with touches of betrayal in this new installment.
The original Mad Max films, especially the first two, emerged in the B-movie era. However, Fury Road underwent an innovative and costly transformation by fusing the essence of cinema with growing technology, offering a unique perspective.
The Feminist Turn and the Evolution of the Universe
George Miller, the creator of the saga, demonstrated his cunning by giving an unexpected twist to the feminist approach, displacing the antihero Max to give prominence to an iconic character: Imperator Furiosa played by Charlize Theron. This bold decision reduced the plot to a simple premise: the protagonists flee and the villains pursue them.
Fury Road stood out as an auteur work, combining lush visual action with an intense operatic chase. This installment immersed us in a post-apocalyptic dystopia, presenting a world converted into a desert where the scarcity of resources has transformed the survivors into ruthless predators.
Exploring Origins and Characters
Furiosa, the prequel to the reboot, takes us back to the protagonist’s 15 years, from her childhood in the oasis of the Paraje Verde de las Mil Madres to her arrival at the Citadel. This journey reveals crucial events, including her kidnapping and her subsequent involvement in the plot. Additionally, Dementus is introduced, a Warlord played by Chris Hemsworth, whose traumatic past is reflected in a teddy bear that accompanies him.
Despite its intermittent pace and some confusion, the film delves into the Mad Max universe with a touch of humor, highlighting the eccentricity of the characters. However, the replacement of Charlize Theron by Anya Taylor-Joy and the lack of surprises affect the delivery, which moves away from the brilliance of its predecessor.
The Challenge of Maintaining the Essence
Furiosa tries to maintain the essence of the saga with impressive action scenes, but is affected by an irregular pacing and a sense of impersonality common in franchises. Although it offers entertainment and escape, it fails to reach the level of its predecessor, leaving a bittersweet taste in viewers.
