Ian Winter’s review published on Letterboxd:
“As the world fell, each of us in our own way was broken. It was hard to know who was more crazy... me... or everyone else.”
It seems almost pointless to write another review that praises George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road, since it is rightfully celebrated as a groundbreaking action masterpiece that not only outshines its predecessors in every conceivable way but ascends beyond almost everything else in its genre. But that seems like an easy way to quickly sum up just how awesome it still is.
Truly, its unique portrayal of a fundamentally progressive post-apocalyptic narrative, crafted through audacious yet concise world-building and incredible action, remains unparalleled nearly a decade later. Every action sequence is awe-inspiring, every moment is meticulously crafted for maximum impact, and each frame could be displayed as an baroque piece of art completely removed from the movie. Considering Miller achieves all of this through a narrative that seeks to challenge disproportionate power dynamics, confronting misogyny while enhancing the impact of characters and action through stunning imagery, is nothing short of remarkable, even miraculous. But what's particularly impressive is how the feminist narrative maintains its authenticity without ever descending into patronizing or self-aggrandizing posturing. Indeed, as more time passes, Fury Road remains undiminished in its visceral impact, further solidifying its status as a stone cold classic.
Yet, it’s fascinating going back to Fury Road now, considering how drastically times have changed since its release. It would be easy to argue that Fury Road has sadly gained more relevance in the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, but attributing significance solely to this would overlook a broader truth. The reality is that, throughout history, powerful men have continually sought to control women and their bodies, and this struggle for autonomy has persisted irrespective of legal rulings or era. It never went away, and it never will. Fury Road understands how some struggles are timeless and constant, but that’s just another reason why Miller’s masterpiece endures as a legitimate work of cinematic art.
Whether or not someone sees it in a similar light, or simply as great action cinema, rarely has a visual spectacle captivated with such raw, visceral impact and underlying intellectual depth as Mad Max: Fury Road. Even if George Miller fails to surpass it with his upcoming Furiosa, his legacy as the mastermind behind this genre-defining opus will remain. Nothing will ever take that away, because it still blows my mind that he was somehow able to surpass The Road Warrior. But he did, and, for that, I will be forever thankful.
“Oh, what a day... What a lovely day!”
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