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davidahallnum5
Jul 288 min read

Mad Max: Fury Road 3D Blu-ray Review

MOVIE REVIEW

Mad Max: Fury Road is a 2015 action film from visionary director George Miller continuing the Mad Max saga 30 years since its last installment. Fury Road picks up on Max haunted by the ghosts of the people he couldn't save as he navigates the post-apocalyptic desert. Unfortunately, he gets picked up by a tyrant known as Immortan Joe, known for his cult-like leadership and control over the desert's basic resources at the Citadel. One day, he gets strapped to the front of a car as dozens of Joe's men chase after a woman named Furiosa who tries escaping with Joe's abused wives. The attack fails, though, and Max manages to get free. And soon enough, he ends up joining Furiosa and her crusade to get the women to a much better place, all the while all the forces of the Citadel relentlessly pursue them.

All you have heard about Mad Max: Fury Road is true. This indeed ranks up there with some of the best action movies ever made, with the likes of Terminator 2 and Die Hard. You probably wouldn't think of it from a legacy sequel to a film franchise that's nearly 40 years old, and one that's been in development hell since 1989. But here it is, and it's not only way more visually spectacular than it has any right to be, but it features some of the most engaging action sequences to hit the silver screen in quite some time, and even manages to sneak in a bit of heart to ground the whole thing.

I must confess I haven't actually seen any of the first Mad Max movies, though I do understand the main premise. So rather than judging Fury Road as a sequel, I'm going to go about it, as many other people my age have done, as a stand alone action film. Fortunately, even if that's your approach, this film is still incredible. There's not too much to talk about from the story side of things as the movie is basically one long chase. But then again, most all action movies are made that way as an excuse to indulge in the explosions and mayhem. And Fury Road offers some of the best constant explosions and mayhem there is. From the array of constant vehicles getting destroyed, the ways Max and Furiosa defend themselves from the insane ways their getting ambushed, the high-octane energy on display, and especially with the set pieces including the canyons and even the sandstorm/tornado scene which aren't just used as unique set pieces, but are also enhanced visually by the orange and yellow color palette. Never once does anything feel derivative or played out. Heck, the bizarre world Fury Road creates around Max is consistently intriguing. The film never takes the time to explain why there's a whole group of people sitting atop a vehicle drumming, why the soldiers are spraying themselves in the mouth with silver spray paint, or why Max is strapped to the front of a vehicle while his blood is being transferred to one of the soldiers. Like any great action film, it simply expects you to sit back and enjoy the ride.

And what a ride it is. Right from the start, we're plunged into Max's story of capture, escape, and flee from tyranny that is always on the move to the point where there's virtually no filler. Unlike most Michael Bay films where the complaint is that the action overstays its welcome and halts the story, the action in here actively progresses the film. It keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

That being said, though, what makes Fury Road really stand out in the endless array of action films is its heart which exists in its slower moments. In essence, the movie is one big chase. But when it needs to, it allows the characters to really shine through and let us see their motivations manifesting. Max is man trying to correct his failures, while Furiosa is a woman just trying to get home. Both people aren't perfect individuals. But in a world ruled by evildoers, the shred of hope they offer through their persistence in doing the right thing really keeps you invested the whole way through. And it's surprisingly elevated greatly through the score by Junkie XL. So while the film gets as far as it does on just its action, just like the dynamic between John Conner and the terminator from Terminator 2, the character moments from Fury Road are what really solidify it as more than just a brainless popcorn flick and instead, a piece of genuinely great cinema.

When all is said and done, Mad Max: Fury Road really is one of the best films of its kind. I can't imagine any sort of change working to improve it. A lot like Jaws, the film works for very simple reasons, but it works so splendidly for those reasons. It's action-packed, but never to the point where the spectacle gets repetitive and boring, it's character may not be the star of the show, but it is the engine that gets the film through what other movies would consider the rough terrain of character development, and it's all so expertly paced and timed that by the end, you really do feel like you've been on an enthralling roller coaster ride. For those of you of wanting a film to put on just to waste a couple of hours in a fun way, Fury Road has some of the most over-the-top, visually stylized, and high-energy action-packed fun you can ask for. And for everyone else, it still makes for a cinematic experience of furious proportions. You know, I might even put it on again before too long. And that's something I rarely ever say about any film, especially one of this particular make.


OVERALL FILM RATING: 5/5


3D REVIEW

Mad Max: Fury Road came out in 2015, back when 3D was still around and making plenty of money in the box office, but was beginning to fall out of the cinematic conversation. While the lack of 3D discussion surrounding The Walk was probably the thing that got most 3D viewers most upset, there was another 3D masterpiece released that seemed to receive little discussion despite what it was doing for the technology. And I think you know perfectly well what it was. Fury Road is already quite the experience in 2D. But in 3D, you aren't just witnessing Max and Furiosa driving in the desert while fighting off enemies, you're right there with them.

I typically have a formula when it comes to reviewing 3D films in which I describe how good the 3D works in simple moments before getting onto the fun stuff. But for Fury Road, I think it would only be fair if I took the opposite approach. And man, where do I even begin? This film has action sequences with so much going on in the frame that at times, you especially need the 3D to keep track of what's going on. With all the cars, explosions, fire, unique vehicles designs, people flying around, and the fast pace it's all wrapped up in, it'd be too difficult, and futile just to describe to you all the 3D highlights. This is one of those situations where it'd just be better for you see the film for yourself. However, I will try to explain some of the places where the 3D action is at its best. The sandstorm/tornado scene is a huge highlight, for very obvious reasons including sand, high winds blowing things everywhere, and of course, giant tornadoes. There's everything from fireworks being launched off, canyon chases where the 3D gives the mountains and crevasses size and scale, the opening chase sequences has shots of Max on the front of a man's car sticking out of the screen, there's dirt and dust being blown everywhere, weapons being shot, and not to mention the fact that the camera moving as fast as the vehicles themselves makes the exterior shots feel all the more immersive and intense. This film is really all about the experience, which is something that can't really be put into words.

The pop outs, while not exactly near constant, are definitely present and elevate the action by placing it in your home theater. We get an ample amount of guns, people flying in your direction, vehicles and vehicle parts, sand, dust, fire, chains, steering wheels, fireworks, giant poles, a hot branding stick, a dude's severed face, and more that I'm probably forgetting. There is one shot that does go for the gimmicky slow mo coming-at-ya style of 3D pop near the end of the film when a vehicle blows up and the guitar attached to it flies in your direction, which is then proceeded by another flying steering wheel. Many of them are pretty blink and you'll miss it. But given the high-octane nature of the film, they still work just fine.

Action aside, how is the actual in-screen depth during the slower moments? I'd say that also works too. This film takes place in the desert, so in almost every shot, you're treated to a barren yellow environment that never ends in any direction. It's a great effect in the action. But in other scenes, it actually enhances the emotion by emphasizing the feeling of solitude in the endless wasteland. It also works in certain moments like at the Citadel where it enhances the scale of structures, especially in a moment involving several vertigo-invoking top-down shots. The presentation here isn't exactly the deepest you'll ever find, but a lot like Gravity, it definitely gets the job done.

If I had one thing to complain about with Mad Max: Fury Road in 3D, it'd probably be that the film's fast paced nature and use of shaky cam does make several moments feel a little eye straining. It's not awful or anything as I've seen with Clash of the Titans. But if someone you know who's sensitive to eye strain does decide to take the ride, tell them to be prepared for a few unfortunate bumps.

Besides that one minor issue though, Mad Mad: Fury Road is still an absolute must see in 3D. Not only was it made from the ground up to be in 3D (with George Miller admitting plans to film the movie in native 3D, though those plans fell through as he discovered how difficult filming in 3D in the desert would be), but it makes the film's impressive action sequences all the more engaging and mesmerizing. It's one thing to notice cars fighting one another in the middle of the vast desert, but it's another to have depth allowing you to feel the full weight of those vehicles, especially when there's multiple vehicles, fire, flying debris, and even tornadoes involved. Once again, in 3D, the film is totally different experience. If you are to step foot into this truck chase, you should certainly do it the way George Miller intended.


3D RATING: EXCELLENT


OTHER SOURCES THAT REVIEW THIS MOVIE'S 3D








FINAL THOUGHTS


Mad Max: Fury Road isn't a deep film with a complicated story that'll take multiple viewings for its genius to hit you. It's a simple yet incredibly wild action flick with stylized visuals, compelling characters, and surprising heart that will have you coming back for more. That's all I really have to say. Even if you're somewhat skeptical when it comes to big, dumb action movies, this is one film that everyone at some point should have a chance to see. It is indeed a roller coaster ride, but it's a roller coaster ride that's well paced, well written, and will have you invested in its protagonists from start to finish. You will leave having had the time of your life. And of course, that makes the 3D all the more necessary as it takes everything that already makes it work and slides it along the z-axis. If you haven't, go check Mad Max: Fury Road out in 3D. And even if you have, give it another watch. It's the kind of film that begs for it.


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