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    Mad Max: Fury Road

    Reviewed by
    dajk@

    I realize I am going against the general consensus on this movie but I just don't agree the overwhelmingly positive reviews this movie is getting. Critics and audiences alike seem to be absolutely loving this movie, and I wish I had too, so that I could also get caught up in all the excitement. Rather than thinking Mad Max: Fury Road was an awesome movie, I felt it was more of a mixed bag. The movie establishes its dark, post-apocalyptic setting right out of the gate, and you are instantly thrust into this dangerous world where the action starts almost immediately. There is a lot of visual storytelling instead or narrative monologue, however the film doesn't provide any character background motivations, and really leaves you hanging for most of the first act. The introduction of Nicholas Hoult, who ended up being my favourite character later on in the movie, is so convoluted and contrived that I was straight out confused. The first big extended car chase/action set-piece happens before any of the character development, and throughout this sequence, I was repeatedly asking myself "what is going on? " While the action is spectacular, and well filmed (no shaky cam, so you can actually see what is going on), no context is provided and the movie feels empty. I have been reading previews and watching clips of Fury Road for months in anticipation of the movie but even I felt lost at times, which made me wonder how some people would feel that go in completely blind, or not seeing any of the previous films (which could help understand the world they are in, but really doesn't do much for this film, and is not necessary) Or perhaps the "prep work" I did put me at a disadvantage, tainting my perceptions. There is character and narrative development that takes shape later on in the movie, but at this point, it feels "too little too late." I can't fully recommend a movie when I only cared about the second half, but I must admit this second half is really entertaining. Once you start to care about the characters, you have a stake in the movie, and the action (which is arguably the centerpiece of the film) is that much more exciting. The movie starts to prove to you that the world in which it takes place has potential for many stories to be told, and despite not entirely loving this movie, I am anticipating the prospect of potential future installments in the series. While Mad Max: Fury Road is a mixed bag due to its lack of any helpful exposition, there is a lot to recommend, particularly the 3D, and practical and CGI effects. Action junkies will love this, fans of the Mad Max franchise will love this, but I fear that general audiences might be a bit more divided.

    5
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    dajk@  18.5.2015 age: 13-17 85 reviews

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