A movie as crazy as Mad Max: Fury Road very much needs a cast that will commit to its over-the-top world as well, and George Miller has put together a phenomenal ensemble. Tom Hardy’s Max Rockatansky is a bit more on the strong, stoic side than Mel Gibson’s was, blatantly scarred by what the world has done to him. This only serves to shine more of a light on Furiosa, who is fueled by Charlize Theron-provided gravitas and a powerful performance. Nicholas Hoult is a tremendous surprise as Nux, given a fantastic arc relating to the characters’ connection to Immortan Joe that he plays to full emotional effect. And even though they’re grouped together for the entire film, George Miller does give Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Zoe Kravitz, Riley Keough, Megan Gale, and Abbey Lee’s characters each individual personalities and places in the story.
Mad Max: Fury Road is a special film. It’s bombastically entertaining and action packed, but it doesn’t disregard emotion and story; and it’s a fitting follow-up that will make lovers of the Road Warrior giddy. But it’s also entirely accessible to those who have never even heard of the Mel Gibson-starring films. It’s a tremendous cinematic experience courtesy of George Miller, and a must-see.
