Mad Max: Fury Road is out in theaters this weekend, and if you haven’t yet, you should go see it. Walking out of Mad Max, I felt like I did when I’d first seen movies like Jurassic Park or Star Wars – a feeling like what I’d just seen was genre defining, and that all future films would be compared to this one.
This movie was satisfying in ways that the vast majority of summer blockbusters are not. While most films are happy to create entire worlds in shiny CG, George Miller apparently filmed hundreds of hours of vehicular action in Namibia, and did a lot of it practically. We feel the danger that these characters are in, and that’s probably because the actors and stunt doubles portraying them were also in danger too.
When it comes to visceral thrills, gorgeous composition, and spectacular action choreography, nothing will beat Mad Max: Fury Road this summer. Maybe for the next few summers. Probably also for the past 10-20 summers.
Anyway, here are a bunch of random moments from the film I really enjoyed. This is FAR from an exhaustive list – there were many dozens of moments that I thought were incredible. Spoilers ahead.
Opening chase scene, which ends with a spectacular car flip
Mad Max is led away in chains as Immortan Joe’s thugs drive towards the Citadel – the ultimate reduction of the titular character to rock bottom
Dust storm juxtaposed with chase scene creates surreal beauty
Tornado absolutely rips apart many bad guys driving through it
SOME DUDE DOES THIS
Imperator Furiosa creates the most memorable tableau from the film as she recognizes the futility of her journey
Monster truck does spectacular jump in front of the War Rig, with people HANGING OFF THE SIDE
This quiet moment, representing the transition from the past to the future
This guy gets absolutely owned
My favorite shot from the film – the ultimate confluence of all elements in an action scene
