What do the critics say?

[BoB]

Its my belief that those who call themselves first and foremost George Miller fans or who otherwise are self proclaimed cineasts are the ones who are likely to go gaga over this movie. Those who are first and foremost Mad Max fans or who call themselves an average moviegoer, maybe not so much.

Although embargoed, a few popular film bloggers have hinted that they think it's great. Devin Faraci of Badassdigest has gone so far as to call it an instant classic and has written an article solely to plead to his readership to buy tickets now for opening day. I've never seen him do that before for any other movie. And you can tell that Drew McWeeny of Hitfix is over the moon with it as well.

http://birthmoviesdeath.com/2015/05/07/ ... ickets-now

Well, everyone is entitled to their opinion. But when I read a review that is 100% glowing and praise, I largely discount it. Heck, I can point out a few big errors in my favorite films, including Mad Max and TRW. Those errors are only minor detractions but that's just evidence that no movie is perfect. For instance, if I were writing an honest review on TRW I would reference a few editing errors that should have been cleaned up (the driver in the cab with with Mel, the unrealistic gyro crash with no injuries and a functioning gyro, etc.), but that it did not overall detract from the film's energy.

Having seen FR, I can say there are plenty of problems, big and small to take issue with. Opening, story, plot holes, physics, laws of gravity, ending, changes to Max's character, the BoB car and continuity, etc. So to read a review that has not one reference to any problem strikes me a shill and not a real review.

I agree that this movie will be rather divisive. That's a shame. It could have please everyone - no need to pick who it pleases. Having thought about it for 2 days after seeing it, a few tweeks here and there, and I would be in the "Love it" camp.

But sadly I'm not.

I predict long time MM fans like myself will be disappointed but the new Fast and Furious Marvel Comic generation will love it.

I will be very curious to hear from others after the 15th.

[kickherintheguts]

I predict long time MM fans like myself will be disappointed but the new Fast and Furious Marvel Comic generation will love it.

Then it will make a lot of money and spawn several sequels.

[BoB]

I predict long time MM fans like myself will be disappointed but the new Fast and Furious Marvel Comic generation will love it.

Then it will make a lot of money and spawn several sequels.

Perhaps. But Star Wars and Marvel appeal to children. MM is for mature audiences.

[kickherintheguts]

I predict long time MM fans like myself will be disappointed but the new Fast and Furious Marvel Comic generation will love it.

Then it will make a lot of money and spawn several sequels.

Perhaps. But Star Wars and Marvel appeal to children. MM is for mature audiences.

What about Thunderdome?

[biolumen]

I agree that this movie will be rather divisive. That's a shame. It could have please everyone

Eh, I'm glad he didn't go that route. I'd rather Miller aim for the stars and wildly succeed or spectacularly fail, depending on who you ask, than to make a movie that appeals to a lower common denominator. He's done with Fury Road what he did with Babe: Pig In The City. Some feel that movie is way better than the first (me included) while others think it's a travesty.

Here's what Devin Faraci said in another article.

I have seen Mad Max: Fury Road, but embargoes mean I cannot tell you whether or not it's an instant classic or anything. I'm not even sure I can tell you that the film has incredibly deep and subtle themes, including a powerful and surprising feminist slant that takes the form of a critique of the patriarchy.

Did you see in the movie any of what Devin is talking about?

[biolumen]

Australian director Brian Trenchard-Smith on Fury Road (via Facebook). A shill, no doubt.

MAD MAX - FURY ROAD is a masterpiece of kinetic action and screen dynamics that will be hard to top. The audience at last night's premiere frequently roared their approval. I've known George Miller since Mad Max 1 (1977), when he hired Grant Page, Australia's pioneer stuntman, who's career I managed in those days. George's signature low angle pulse pounding mount shots and wide angle tableaux bursting with complex action choreography reaches its zenith in Fury Road. He uses very little CGI, more for enhancement than creating the impossible as per the current crop of soulless superhero movies. In Fury Road, you know the colliding flipping vehicular mayhem is REAL! In the close quarter combat scenes, he avoids the style du jour - a disjunctive blizzard of tight shots - in favor of giving the audience the geography of the fight, so the tight shots have more relevance and impact when they come. Again, making it REAL. All aided by the superb photography of John Seale, (another old friend - BMX Bandits) who came out of retirement and shot digital for the first time. And what a feast for the eye he delivers. Amazing stunt choreography by 2nd Unit director Guy Norris ( also an old friend - Dead End Drive In) All in all, Fury Road is another triumph of Australian Cinema craftsmanship. We were guests of old friends Hugh Keays-Bryne & Christina Ferguson. Hugh played undercover narc Morrie Grosse in my Man From Hong Kong in '74. Then the Toe Cutter in Mad Max 1. Here he excels as the warlord Imortan Joe, providing a worthy opponent to Max and Imperator Furiosa. Actually Imperatrix would be correct Latin, but that's my only nit pick on Fury Road...

[BoB]

I have seen Mad Max: Fury Road, but embargoes mean I cannot tell you whether or not it's an instant classic or anything. I'm not even sure I can tell you that the film has incredibly deep and subtle themes, including a powerful and surprising feminist slant that takes the form of a critique of the patriarchy.

Did you see in the movie any of what Devin is talking about?

Let me say this. I felt that Warrior Woman in RW was an impressively powerful and believable female. There were other females in RW (both strong and weak - the mechanic, the blondie, the old lady, etc.). While I didn't care for the exact way she was portrayed and her movie flaws, Auntie was also quite powerful and there were a few other background strong women. The women in MM2 and MM3 were very effective and strong females, not pandering to some "movement."

If you're like me, the Ewoks in Return of the Jedi are clear pandering to kids. The kids in BTD are a clear pandering to a younger audience. I felt the same in FR.

I did not care for the way FR handled the "feminism" issue, or rather created an issue and threw it in your face - if you want to get really deep. Theron delivers a really strong performance (I'd give her a solid 8/10 performance). Aside from that, eh. The story line made sense to some extent. But overall it just didn't work for me.

But I don't want to give away anything more.

[kickherintheguts]

If you're like me, the Ewoks in Return of the Jedi are clear pandering to kids. The kids in BTD are a clear pandering to a younger audience. I felt the same in FR.

Wow, my #1 fear about this movie is coming true. F__k!

[biolumen]

I guess some will see it as pandering while others will see it as a refreshing change that's long overdue. Anyway, your thoughts are appreciated Bob.

[DGSimo]

I have seen Mad Max: Fury Road, but embargoes mean I cannot tell you whether or not it's an instant classic or anything. I'm not even sure I can tell you that the film has incredibly deep and subtle themes, including a powerful and surprising feminist slant that takes the form of a critique of the patriarchy.

Did you see in the movie any of what Devin is talking about?

Let me say this. I felt that Warrior Woman in RW was an impressively powerful and believable female. There were other females in RW (both strong and weak - the mechanic, the blondie, the old lady, etc.). While I didn't care for the exact way she was portrayed and her movie flaws, Auntie was also quite powerful and there were a few other background strong women. The women in MM2 and MM3 were very effective and strong females, not pandering to some "movement."

If you're like me, the Ewoks in Return of the Jedi are clear pandering to kids. The kids in BTD are a clear pandering to a younger audience. I felt the same in FR.


I did not care for the way FR handled the "feminism" issue, or rather created an issue and threw it in your face - if you want to get really deep. Theron delivers a really strong performance (I'd give her a solid 8/10 performance). Aside from that, eh. The story line made sense to some extent. But overall it just didn't work for me.

But I don't want to give away anything more.

Explain yourself please. Are you trying to say Fury Road is pandering again to a younger generation or to women?