SilentDawn’s review published on Letterboxd:
97/100
George Miller's Mad Max: Fury Road is nothing less than utterly astonishing. From frame one, Miller paints the cinema screen with a gleefully vibrant vision of chaos and elemental fury. Every performance, every shot, every ingenious switch-up of narrative; It all comes back to George Miller and his prophetic revitalization of cinema. Auguste and Louis Lumière would be both terrified and insanely proud of the stupendous clarity and craft on display, mainly because Fury Road showcases a sense of confidence that hasn't been seen in cinema in a very long time.
Let's start with the startling visuals, brought to life by the exceptional John Seale. This isn't your ordinary post-apocalypse film in terms of the look, and that essential difference comes down to one word: color. Whether its the powdery flares, the shimmering stars, or the dusty deserts; Seale demonstrates a masterful eye for dynamic images and their relation with one another. The editing is absolutely wonderful, with Jason Ballantine and Margaret Sixel knocking it out of the park in terms of pacing and the flow of the connections between shots.
All of these fantastic forces combine their talents to support George Miller's vision without a hint of doubt or trepidation. Every frame screams, screams, SCREAMS confidence and focus, and Miller's directing here is Oscar worthy. From the serene images of humanity gone mad to the impacting succession of action sequences, Miller directs HIS ASS OFF. He's discovered the core of the cinematic medium and shaken it awake with a mighty roar, filling the nostrils of the tired realm of summer movie-making with massive whiffs of guzzoline and bursts of sand. It's not just a career-defining accomplishment, but a phenomenally influential one.
The performances perfectly compliment and drive the mayhem on screen, and Charlize Theron is the binding that holds the entire story together. Everything is in the eyes in this role as Furiosa, and watching Theron gives me the same feeling as Sigourney Weaver's portrayal as Ripley. Simply put, she's a kick-ass heroine that also reveals heartbreaking amounts of depth and horror throughout the film. Tom Hardy is a flawless successor to Mel Gibson's iconic character, and just like Mel, his finest moments lie within the expressions of the endless situations that this crew gets into. All the other performers utilize their respective roles to the fullest, and there's not a weak link in the entire cast. George Miller gave them the the tools to tap into his particular brand of madness effectively, and it's a joy to behold.
Speaking of joy, how about those heart-pounding, mind-blowing, chill-inducing, jaw-dropping action sequences? Coherently filmed, deliriously paced, happily deranged, and beautifully practical; the action that is packed within Fury Road is nothing less than a masterpiece in and of itself. When it comes to vehicular mayhem, no film comes close, and the only director that could try to top it would be George Miller. None of the action is repetitive, and it culminates in a visually dynamic film of audacious pleasures. It constantly switches gears in ways that will leave a goofy grin on your face for hours afterwards. Call a doctor if it doesn't go away. Or just see Fury Road again.
Overall, George Miller's latest is a supreme force of cinema, combining every individual aspect, each of exemplary quality, into something of a rampaging behemoth of destruction and lunacy. It's the best feature-length film of the year, the finest summer blockbuster in decades, and an instant all-time favorite. Put the petal to the medal, race to your nearest multiplex, and Join me in Valhalla. Again and again and again.
