‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ is an all-revved, fuel-injected action movie

Anya Taylor-Joy in “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga”. Image from Warner Bros. Studios and George Miller

“Furiosa” is another on-screen character that you can add to the growing list of certified action heroines. This movie is going to run circles around its competition. Oftentimes, the hype does not equal the experience of watching the movie upon its release, but this is one of those rare occasions because the movie studio took the time to develop and create this movie and find the proper actress to portray a younger “Furiosa” in Anya Taylor-Joy.

Prequels that are as entertaining as this one are rare, period. They do not happen often, and when a movie of such high quality comes along–in fact, it is not mere “quality” but perfection to the core–you can check all the boxes and give “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” a perfect score in every category.

What is the reason for that? The achievements displayed in “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” represented a new level of cinematic excellence not previously witnessed in “Mad Max: Fury Road,” solidifying its status as a well-rounded film regarding visual presentation, cinematography, and camera work. Without visionary director George Miller, none of this would have been achievable. He was the individual responsible for the creation of the initial trilogy of the Mad Max series of films, featuring Mel Gibson as the titular on-screen character, produced from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s.

The Mad Max series of movies, created in 1979, has had a big impact on popular culture and has inspired many filmmakers, artists, and storytellers. “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” will continue to build on the legacy that the Mad Max series of movies has already established. Truth be told, the movie franchise has had a significant influence on the world of cinema, inspiring a new wave of filmmakers to push the boundaries of cinematic storytelling.

I would describe George Miller’s latest masterpieces, “Mad Max: Fury Road” and “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” as perfect dystopian action films set in the future, featuring on-screen characters that are mysterious, captivating, and engaging to audiences. The two movies are the cornerstones of a sub-genre of action that George Miller helped create in the late 1970s to 1980s.

In recent memory, “Mad Max: Fury Road” and “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” are the closest things to moving art, thanks to their flawless cinematography. Their usage of a specific color treatment makes it a visual feast for the senses, perhaps the best cinematography I have ever seen in this sub-genre. For a change, the visuals are not meant to compensate for a bad script or acting to make the movie appear better; instead, they are intended to enhance the viewing experience for everyone, allowing them to become more immersed than they already are.

Charlize Theron’s portrayal of an older Furiosa was impressive, but Anya Taylor-Joy’s performance as the younger version of Furiosa was a revelation. She captured the essence of the on-screen character and nailed the performance to the point where I thought I was watching a young Charlize Theron portray a young “Furiosa,” despite the obvious physical differences between the two. Instead, Anya Taylor-Joy focused on picking up the qualities that Charlize Theron displayed in “Mad Max: Fury Road,” while also being able to reimagine them for a much younger version of “Furiosa.”

The point is, Anya Taylor-Joy as a young “Furiosa” was the right choice. She knew how important this would be in her acting career, and how moviegoers would view her performance years from now. This was a make-or-break movie for her. Anya Taylor-Joy put in the work. Anya Taylor-Joy’s on-screen character’s name being included in the prequel title and the fictitious origin story of “Furiosa” being marketed became the very reasons why “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” made people interested in watching it.

Indeed, rare movies such as “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” are worth the ticket price because they are impeccably crafted, benefiting from the expertise of legendary director George Miller. It is as vibrant, rich in color, and beautifully shot as “Mad Max: Fury Road.” This is cut from the same cloth and follows a blueprint of perfection. This is the magic of cinema fully realized, with a central character that will now be a part of the vocabulary of every moviegoer who watches it. This is how you create a “movie legend,” and “Furiosa” is one.

By all means, do watch “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” while you still can.