At one point, I was a little worried about this particular movie. Not only is it another entry of Mad Max, not only has it been 30 years since the last one but also being written, produced and directed by George Miller. If we learned anything, directors returning to movie series that put them on the map in the first place usually end up with underwhelming results (George Lucas with Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Steven Spielberg with Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Ridley Scott with Prometheus). Remember how the trailers would look spectacular and too good to be true but eventually being huge letdowns? However, that trend has now been broken because George Miller has made an insane action masterpiece!

The movie is a reboot of the series, with Tom Hardy replacing Mel Gibson as our troubled hero Max Rockatansky. Rather than start from the very beginning in typical reboot fashion, it already establishes Max’s wife and child were killed and he’s been surviving this chaotic post-apocalyptic world. He gets captured early on by the War Boys, a pale skinned gang led by Immorton Joe (played by only returning Mad Max cast member, Hugh Keays-Byrne). He is in charge of a kingdom known as the Citadel, as he controls the people and major water supply. Though Furiosa (Charlize Theron) has her own agenda; taking Joe’s five brides away and taking them to the green place. This results Joe giving chase and Max (and the audience) along with the wild ride. That’s pretty much it from there; a roller-coaster ride that barely slows down. The world of Fury Road is wildly creative with the production and costume design. It all feels Max has been transported to Dante’s Inferno, as there’s even an intense escape sequence before the main title shows up. Miller never gives any exposition to who or what is going on on-screen.

Tom Hardy is a great replacement, bringing the Max we all have grown familiar but also bringing his own interpretation that doesn’t result being an imitation. He’s almost like a wild animal, just making his way through and looking out for himself. Though even he is not so far from being insane as everyone else. He often has hallucinations of his family, mostly from a little girl. Keays-Byrne is impressively threatening as Immorton Joe. Fuelled by pursuing his belongings as if he’d lose everything (including his sanity) if they ever get far from his grasp. The inventive ventilator collar adds to his bonkers costume design, including a see-through body armour. Though the ones who steal the spot-light are the women, including Theron’s Furiosa. They are far from the damsels in distress or completely written as being illogical (I’m looking at you Anastasia Steele and Bella Swan!) It’s also saying something that most of the women in this movie are the sane ones. The brides may not be warriors but they will do the damn hardest to actually do something to prevent from anything bad happening. Everyone is aiming for something, whether it’s simply to survive, gain back something or even head somewhere better. Even Nux (Nicholas Hoult) is given a bit of an arc, something he slowly but eventually realises his full potential. The movie may be an action movie on its surface but it has a bit of humanity in its core and also heart on its sleeve.

As said before, the movie is completely bonkers but it is beautifully bat-shit insane! It’s one of those situations where I would describe something from the film and it will give you an idea what kind of ride you’ll be going on. For example; there’s one character where he wears a red onsie but is standing on a bunch of towering sound-speakers and plays an electric guitar. . . . that also acts as a flamethrower. Even character names will also give you an idea what you’re walking into, such as The People Eater and The Bullet Farmer. John Seale even came out of retirement to help shoot this movie. His experience on shooting in desert settings in The English Patient may have been useful but he brings it to a whole new level. The action sequences are easy to follow but shot in a way that’s more intense and satisfying to watch than any action movie nowadays. You actually get worried when our heroes are close to death’s door (unlike Fast & Furious series where lead characters can survive anything, even ramming to an oncoming car).

Overall: 30 years waiting for the return of Mad Max and it was worth it! George Miller finally unleashes his crazy vision and never holds back. The cast is excellent and the action is breath-taking! Easily one of the best movies of the year and going to be hard to top this from being movie of the summer. J.J. Abrams, don’t let us down with The Force Awakens!

5 out of 5!