The Bikeriders Movie Review

  

The Bikeriders

Director: Jeff Nichols

Stars: Austin Butler, Tom Hardy and Jodie Comer

Runtime: 1 hour 56 mins

Genre: Crime Drama

The Bikeriders which is based on a real life biker gang who are rivals to the Hell's Angels is directed by Jeff Nichols (Mud, Midnight Special). It marks my second film of the year starring Austin Butler and Jodie Comer. This movie which is also written by Nichols had been percolating in the directors mind for the past 5 years. He left this summer's A Quiet Place: Day One to direct this movie. 

Let's break it down..

Story and Plot

The Bikeriders spans the late 1950s to 1970's and is set in the Midwest. After a chance encounter at a bar, headstrong Kathy (Comer) is drawn to Benny (Butler) a member of a motorcycle club the Vandals MC. From it's innocent beginnings, the club transforms into a dangerous underworld of violence and Benny must choose between Kathy and his loyalty to the club and it's founder Johnny (Hardy). 

My overall thoughts...

So, firstly if you are going into this movie thinking it's going to be an action movie, you need to re-adjust your expectations. This movie is more of a slow burn than a thrill ride, that is not to say it is not thrilling.

I thoroughly enjoyed this atmospheric movie. I could literally smell the endless cigarettes being lit with Zip lighters, the leather jackets, burning rubber and engines and of the motorbikes. 

Brilliantly directed by Nichols with a stellar cast who give their A-game in a movie that is beautifully shot with a sharp well written script and engaging story. The movie also never takes itself too seriously and features some funny parts.

Cast

The Bikeriders features a star studded cast. Headlining the movie is Austin Butler and Jodie Comer who firmly stamp their movie-star status with winning turns in this movie.

Butler, who came hot off the production of Dune Part 2, plays Benny a man who's actions speak louder than his words. Hit em' first, think later. Very much channelling James Dean (who I think he could nail in a biopic). He is excellent, brooding and always simmering like a pot on the stove.

Jodie Comer who equally had just finished filming The End We Start From (Cracking movie btw) as Kathy (Benny's girlfriend) serves as the movies narrator via voice over. The movie is largely told in flashback as Kathy recounts the life and times of The Vandals to Danny (Mike Faist) a journalist and photographer who in real life creates the book this movie is based on. Comer is excellent (what a surprise) and has a seamless accent.

Tom Hardy who plays the clubs enigmatic leader and founder Johnny is my favourite character in the movie. Despite the actor choosing a bizarre hard-to-place accent (which you can see in the movie is inspired by Marlon Brando in The Wild One), I found his performance to be thoroughly engrossing. With regards his accent Hardy has gone on record as saying his real accent sounds like a "bourgeois middle class t***" so maybe he chooses to adopt these voices to distance himself from his own? 

Michael Shannon, one of my favourite actors who I loved in Nichol's Midnight Special plays Zipco an unhinged member of the gang who has a hatred for Pinkos. (College kids)

Boyd Holbrook, last seen in Indy 5, is excellent Cal the gang mechanic. 

On screen Action

So as I say this is a slow burn so whilst there are action set pieces, they are organic and well woven into the story. Whilst there are some fights and motorbike & police chases, you in no way could call this an "action" movie.  

Cinematography & Effects

Adam Stone DP excels with the movies cinematography, it is beautifully shot. The whole look of the movie has an authentic washed colour palette and gritty visuals which makes you feel like it is a genuine period piece.

Music, Score & Sound

David Wingo once again collaborates with Nichols and creates a brilliant score that helps direct the audience as they watch the movie. There are some great 60's and early 70's needle drops that accompany some of the open road scenes, which work really well.  

The movie also features great sound design for the motorbikes, when the first bobbed 1956 Harley-Davidson FLH is fired up it was reminiscent of the Batmobile firing up in The Batman. In doing so you are under no illusion that motorbikes are at the heart of this movie.

Gritty, authentic and engaging. The Bikeriders may feel more slow burn than action thrill ride but it is thrilling non the less. A beautiful looking movie with an engaging story and fantastic central performances from Hardy, Butler & Comer. 

Verdict  - MATCHED EXPECTATIONS

Inside Out 2 Movie Review

  

Inside Out 2

No 9 on my Most Anticipated

Synopsis: Follow Riley, in her teenage years, encountering new emotions.

Director: Kelsey Mann

Stars: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black and Maya Hawke

Runtime: 1 hour 36 mins

Genre: Family Comedy Adventure

Coming nine years after the original, and a lifetime after what many would consider a bone-fide hit for Pixar, Inside Out 2 hits cinemas today. This sequel has a lot to live up to, the first instalment earned over $850M worldwide, bagging Best Animated Feature at the Oscars and is largely regarded as Pixar's best single entry movie to date.

Going in to this movie I was excited to see more from this world and it's characters but also nervous as to whether this movie would live up to its predecessor. With Pixar veteran Pete Docter (director of Inside Out) returning as a producer on this movie and newcomer Kelsey Mann stepping in to the directors chair I was a little anxious.

So what feeling did this movie illicit? Let's break it down..

Story and Plot

It's been two years since the events of Inside Out. Riley however is now 13 years old, school's out for summer as she trials out at an ice hockey camp. With it Joy, Sadness, Anger and Fear (who have been living in relative harmony at Headquarters) suddenly have to make way for Anxiety, Embarrassment, Envy and Ennui. 

My overall thoughts...

Outside of Toy Story and Toy Story 2, Inside Out is my favourite Pixar movie. It was Pixar at it's height, seamlessly blending a heartfelt well written original idea, introducing us to new characters we really cared about with it all wrapped up in seamless and gorgeous animation.

I'm happy to report that Inside Out 2 joins it's predecessor in this rare category of Pixar's greatest movies blending heart, humour with cutting edge animation. Whilst it never reaches the height of the damn near perfect original, my overriding feeling watching this movie was definitely joy. The movie (which was essentially overhauled after negative test screenings in late 2023) is a true four-quadrant movie.

If the first film was a buddy road-trip across Riley's mind between Joy and Sadness, Inside Out 2 could be compared to a hijack movie, Joy is John McClane and Anxiety could be Hans Gruber, as Anxiety hijacks Riley's mind.

Inside Out 2 is not just a movie of what it is like to be a 13-year old teenage girl, it speaks to everyone, young and old alike as it is very much a coming-of-age tale. 

The movie will speak to very young children for the animation & slapstick nature of some it's jokes, whilst at the same time speaking to teenagers who will on some level be experiencing what Riley is going through and finally to the adults who remember what it was like at that age and will get some of the more nuanced jokes and references as well as empathise with the parents and adults in the movie.

As with it's predecessor, Inside Out 2 is genuinely really funny with some laugh out loud moments. Maya Hawke as Anxiety steals the movie with a strong voice cast of returning and new talent alike. The movie also looks stunning and has a great script, you really care about Riley's journey which of course is central to the movie. 

Cast

Amy Poehler anchors the returning cast as Joy with Phyllis Smith as Sadness and Lewis Black as Anger also returning. Tony Hale and Liza Lapira replace Bill Hader and Mindy Kaling as Fear and Disgust. 

The stand-out in this movie though is Maya Hawke as Anxiety, she is fantastic in this role and is a great new addition. She is joined by Paul Walter-Hauser as Embarrassment, Ayo Edebiri as Envy and finally Adele Exarchopoulos as Ennui (boredom). Each character get their time to shine to a greater or lesser extent.

Aside from the emotions I loved Pouchy (think Dora’s backpack) voiced by James Austin Johnson and Lance Flashblade (an heroic videogame character Riley had a crush on when she was younger), who is voiced by Yong Yea.

On screen Action

As Joy's gang travel to the deep dark depths of the back of Riley's mind to regain her sense of self, the movie is full of great action set pieces. My favourite was the tidal wave of memories and how the team have an hilarious conversation with construction workers across the sar-chasm. 

Sound and Effects

Inside Out 2 is uniformly beautiful. The animation giant yet again stamps it's mark on why it is the best in the business by setting a new bar for the level of animation and detail that goes into it's movies. It also cleverly utilises different styles of animation such as 2D and video game. 

The movie also features great sound design that helps to support the flawless animation.

Music and Score

Andrea Datzman provides the score for the movie, and it is her first feature length movie, having been composer on TV shows and shorts. It's a great score that helps the audience navigate Riley's complex emotions.

Pixar's best sequel since Toy Story 2. Emotionally intelligent whilst being funny and exciting with a well written truly heartfelt story. Featuring a fantastic cast with Maya Hawke stealing the movie. Treat yourself and your family, Pixar is back in town.

Verdict  - MATCHED EXPECTATIONS

Box Office 2024 Update

  

2024 So far...

We are just over half way through the year, so how does it look so far for 

worldwide box office?

The pre-summer season was off to a good start with Dune: Part Two and Godzilla x Kong. But it's been a tough year so far for the summer season. It was the lowest grossing month of May in decades. The Fall Guy, Furiosa and IF have all failed to perform as anticipated. Kingdom of the Planet of Apes has done well but studios are starting to scratch their head to see what they can do to find a hit. 

Here are the top 10 films of 2024, with worldwide grosses for each movie so far, production budgets and Rotten Tomatoes score.

1. Dune: Part Two ($711 Million) -  92% RT 

Est. Budget: $190 Million

 

2. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire ($567 Million) - 54% RT

Est. Budget: $135 Million

  

3. Kung Fu Panda 4  ($542 Million) - 72% RT

Est. Budget: $85 Million

 

4. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes ($342 Million) - 80% RT

Est. Budget: $160 Million

  

5. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire ($201 Million) - 42% RT

Est. Budget: $100 Million

  

6. Bob Marley: One Love ($179 Million) - 43% RT

Est. Budget: $70 Million

 

 7. The Fall Guy ($159 Million) - 81% RT

Est. Budget: $130 Million

  

8. The Garfield Movie ($152 Million) - 37% RT

Est. Budget: $60 Million

 

9. The Beekeeper ($152 Million) - 71% RT

Est. Budget: $40 Million

 

10. IF ($145 Million) - 49% RT

Est. Budget: $110 Million

I'll post an update at the end of August and let's see how Twisters, Deadpool & Wolverine, Inside Out 2 & Despicable Me 4 shake things up.

Sources: Box Office Mojo , IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes (RT)

Hit Man Movie Review

  

Hit Man

Synopsis: Gary a professor who is a moonlighting hit man gets into hot water when he is attracted to a new client.

Director: Richard Linklater

Stars: Glen Powell, Adria Arjona & Retta

Runtime: 1 hour 55 mins

Genre:  Rom-Com Noir

Hit Man, released on Netflix today is loosely inspired by an unbelievable true story, and based on a 2001 Texas Monthly magazine article of the same name by Skip Hollandsworth.

Helmed by seasoned director Richard Linklater (Boyhood, Last Flag Flying & School of Rock). The streaming service picked up the movie for $20M after it premiered to a standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival and TIFF. 

This movie marks the fourth collaboration between long standing friends Powell and Linklater.

Let's break it down..

Story and Plot

Gary Johnson (Powell) is a buttoned down college psychology professor who has a side job of being the tech guy for the Houston police force on undercover stings. One day he is forced onto the front line to act as a fake hit man to get money and a confession out of a criminal. He soon discovers he has a hidden talent for it and happily don's different disguises and aliases to help the police. Then one day he meets a new client, Maddy (Arjona) who steals his heart and ignites a powder keg of deception, delight and mixed-up identities.

My overall thoughts...

I enjoyed Hit Man, it's a solid film just not a great one. The movie never quite hits the heights I thought it would (I'd heard nothing but positive vibes). Powell though is in full movie-star mode and is well matched by Adria Arjona. They have great chemistry.

It's an entertaining dark screwball comedy that is twisty as it is sexy. It's character not action driven. It also has shades of crime noir classics such as Double Indemnity with a sharp script from Linklater, Powell and Hollandsworth himself.

Cast

Thanks to projects such as Devotion, Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone But You, Glen Powell's star is in the stratosphere. The 36 year old Texan looking 100% the movie star he is, will next be headlining in this summer's windy remake Twisters in July. In Hit Man, Powell is fantastic. It's a sign of not only a great actor but that he is Hollywood's new leading man that his chemistry with Arjona is as sizzling as it was with Sydney Sweeney in Anyone But You. The chemistry between Ray (Sorry Gary) and Maddy is central to the movie. 

Whilst Powell is rightly known as a good looking guy, in Hit Man he has many disguises and even went as far as to turn up to set in disguise fooling cast and crew alike. The movie is a fantastic showcase of his comedic talents.  

The movie is at it's best when Gary starts to tailor his look to each contract, insnaring disgruntled housewives, business partners in admitting to (and paying for) their other halves to be killed off. 

Starring alongside Powell is Adria Arjona (Andor). The 32 year old Puerto Rican beauty gives as good as she get's with Powell and more than holds her own. She is absolutely gorgeous and it was great to see her lighter side after the heavier role in Andor. 

On screen Action

As this is a character and story based movie, there is little to no action in the traditional sense. So if you are going in thinking it's a gun toting exciting action comedy you will be in for a shock. This movie is on the page, not on the stage.

Sound and Effects

Hand-in-hand with on screen action is the general lack of effects in the movie. Whilst there would have been a some element of special effects and VFX they are minimal. Sound design was good. 

Music and Score

Graham Reynolds provides the score which I enjoyed and helped keep the proceedings light and not become to heavy.

A sexy & twisty dark screwball comedy that is a showcase for Powell's considerable talent and charm. Adria Arjona is also a delight. Whilst it's not quite as good as I'd hoped, you'd do well to have it on your hit list.

Verdict  - Good not Great

Bad Boys: Ride or Die Movie Review

  

Bad Boys: Ride or Die

Synopsis: After their Captain is framed for being a drug dealer, Lowrey and Burnett do anything to clear their Captain's name, even if it means going on the run.

Director: Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah

Stars: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens & Joe Pantoliano

Runtime: 1 hour 50 mins

Genre: Action buddy-cop comedy

Coming four years after the franchise's previous entry Bad Boys for Life, this movie which see's directing duo Adil & Bilall return is Will Smith's first film in two years. The time it took between instalments was due to Smith & Lawrence making sure they had the right story, and a new story to tell. Let's see if it all worked out, or is it a slap in the face. 

Let's break it down..

Story and Plot

When Captain Conrad Howard (Pantoliano) gets linked to Miami drug cartels, wise cracking cops Mike Lowrey (Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Lawrence) embark on a dangerous mission to clear his name. 

My overall thoughts...

If memory serves I think I enjoyed Bad Boys for Life. Unfortunately I did not enjoy this movie. Whilst it had some funny moments, this movie just felt like a stab by Will Smith to re-invigorate his ailing career and has brought Lawrence along for the ride. 

It's a mess, it felt tired, formulaic, and tonally inconsistent (PTSD into raucous Bad Boy humour in a heartbeat). A dull script with the majority of the jokes falling flat and a story that's been told a thousand times. I very much had the feeling that I had seen this all before, it lacked originality and creativity.  

If you are a die-hard old school Bad Boys fan, you will (I'd say) like the movie but solely for the reason that you are well just that...a die-hard old school Bad Boys fan. If you just want to go and see an action comedy and are not particularly au fait with the franchise you will almost certainly be lost as to who some of the side characters (and their motivations) are. This is due to the plot hanging a lot of weight on characters from previous entries that if you are not up-to-speed with the franchise will leave you scratching your head. 

Cast

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence clearly love acting together but their performances were very stilted. It felt like the actors wanted to be anywhere else other than here. Whilst still in shape (He's 55 year's old) Smith it's getting a little long in the tooth to play the crack-shot hot cop routine. Lawrence who's character Burnett has a near death experience towards the start of the film is frankly a mess the entire movie. He tries to inject as much humour as possible but the jokes fall mostly flat, which is not surprising as the script is very poor.

As for the villain McGrath (Eric Dane) he is poorly defined and is an uninspired antagonist. 

On screen Action

The on-screen action in this movie is pretty chaotic. Hyper-kinetic photography, slo-motion and editing mask what are essentially very basic action set pieces that lack spontaneity. 

Filmed largely by drone or with the use of first person POV camera steadi-cams (Actually strapped onto the actors), the directors try to freshen up the franchise with unique camera angles. But the action is honestly pretty boring, and as I always say if I'm not involved in the story the action is just noise. 

Music and Score

Seasoned composer Lorne Balfe provides the score which is good and there were a few needle drops but no songs particularly come to mind.

 

Fans of the franchise will like it and whilst there are a few funny scenes and lines, Ride or Die felt like a cash grab to help Smith's ailing career. This movie is a mess. Formulaic, tonally inconsistent with it's main stars phoning their performances in. Mindless action with jokes that fall flat. Time will tell whether this movie will ride or die at the box office.

Verdict  - It's Fine

Sting (Guest) Movie Review

  

Sting

Synopsis: A young girls pet spider becomes a flesh eating monster.

Director: Kiah Roache-Turner

Stars: Jermaine Fowler, Ryan Corr, Alyla Browne

Runtime: 1 hour 32 mins

Genre: Sci-Fi Horror

This review has been provided by fellow movie reviewer Sunil Nijran.

'Your Biggest Fear just got even BIGGER' ... The phrase on this movie's poster!!

I did not want to see this movie.. for obvious reasons!! The feeling it gives is one of being a child, knowing you're terrified of going on a rollercoaster, but you do it anyway to chill with your mates and pretend you enjoyed it!! ... So, I chose to see it... ALONE!!

The average UK house spider has a leg span of 5cm and weighs as little as 10mg and yet these tiny creatures can induce more fear than even a lion for some. Is it because they have 8 legs? Because they move fast? Because they can invade your bedroom at night? Because they can crawl over you when you sleep? Even when you can't see them, you KNOW they're there? It is estimated that the average household living room has at least 70-80 spiders.. and you can't see any of them.. because they hide!!!

Sting is the story of a young girl who decides to keep a spider as a pet, not knowing what it actually is.. a species of alien spider that came to earth through a meteorite that crash landed on Earth!! It's initial home is that of a jam jar!!

The movie tells the story of a family dynamic that is both sad and heartwarming at the same time!! It centres around this disturbed little girl who is emotionally lost and seems to find an attachment to this spider, which doesn't work out well for her family!!

Combine this with a run down apartment block joined by crawl through air events, tenants that consist of an elderly lady with alzheimers, a deranged self-appointed scientist, a dysfunctional family and you have the makings of a movie which brings about a means to prey on your every fear when it comes to these tiny creatures. As one character so simply and coldly put... all SPIDERS do is EAT and KILL!! ... Devouring their prey while they're still alive!!

The style of movie making is very reminiscent of 90s Horror and makes full use of blood and gore and jump scares!! The lighting and picture is very dark and grainy, to fully convey the tone and haunting nature of the film!!

Very clever use has been made of camera work where you are sometimes put in the perspective of the spider itself as it moves from one area to another... quickly.. to find its next prey!!

There are very clever but subtle references to Alien and a sneaky dialogue put in from Predator. What starts as a tiny mystery manifests into a big one... because yes.. this spider grows and grows!!! And becomes a full on Monster Movie!! The movie preys on people's fears in ways that put viewers in a third person  perspective, making great use of shadows, plants, vents, lights and even pillows!! ... It does not shy away from exposing you to your worst fears regarding these tiny creatures. There is one scene which leaves you cringing thinking... No!! Please don't show me that!! ... But they DO!!!

The movie leads to its inevitable conclusion, making effective use of a very simple but clever technique of using the spider's weakness against it!!

This finishes with a typical ending that very very strongly hints at a sequel... think Godzilla 1998!!

Despite all this... as horrific and bloody and gory as it was, the film could have been much much scarier!! I felt that the movie makers held back and could have scared us even more!! As a reference, I only covered my eyes once!! (Pat on the back to me!!) ... And lucky for me.. it has not left any lingering tingling after effects like some horror movies do.. although I won't really know until I go to sleep tonight!!

A solid effort all the same and definitely worthy of a watch with surprising amount of humour to go with it!!

Whilst far from perfect, Sting nicely merges horror with humour. If you like them gory, bloody and full of jump scares Sting will have you in its web.

 

Verdict: Matched Expectations

Young Woman and Sea (Guest) Movie Review

  

Young Woman and the Sea

Synopsis: The story of competitive swimmer Trudy Ederle, who in 1928, was the first woman to ever swim across the English channel.

Director: Joachim Ronning

Stars: Daisy Ridley, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Stephen Graham

Runtime: 2 hours 9 mins

Genre: Biographical sports drama

This review has been provided by fellow movie reviewer Sunil Nijran

It has been four-and-a-half years since I saw Daisy Ridley on the big screen!! ... Yes, it has been that long since the release of Star Wars Episode IV: The Rise of Skywalker!! Being a fan of hers, she is the only reason why I went to watch this film!! Being made on a limited budget and being shown at a few select theatres, unfortunately not including the one I am a member of.. I had to pay to watch it!! So... was it worth it?...

There is something about expectation, choice and just accepting that can and usually does make all the difference between whether you enjoy something or not!! This movie is about the true life story of Trudy Eberley.. the first woman to swim the English Channel.. all 21.3 miles of it.. although as one character in the movie so beautifully put.. it feels more like 50 with the wind and currents!!

The film begins in the time of World War 1 in New York, where a young Trudy ... strong headed but innocent at the same time, is introduced to a time of old fashioned ways, gender discrimination and poverty. Born into a working class family she is the daughter of a father who is a butcher and a mother, who is a seamstress. It is her mother who in a fleeting comment seems to spark something in the young 10 year old Trudy that makes swimming her passion... even though at first she isn't very good at it!! But as the old saying goes.. If at first...

The movie is set in the period 1914 to 1926 and the way in which it is made makes it feel that way.. i.e. with people behaving in a way appropriate to that time frame.

As the movie goes on, it shows how women have been made to feel like second class citizens and how they have had to fight for their rights and truly portrays and showcases the feminine spirit!!

When Daisy Ridley does enter the movie she is strangely shown in a way that makes it look like she is a supporting actor rather than the main character.. with the initial introduction showing her elder sister, played by Australian actress, Tilda Cobham-Hervey (real life partner of actor, Dev Patel) who is actually 2 years younger than Daisy Ridley in real life, as the lead and role model to her younger sister!! Continuing, it shows how Daisy Ridley's character, Trudy improves with herself becomes a role model to other young girls!! She has to fight not only discrimination from men, but also her father.

It is actually her mother who comes to her aid and helps get her on her way to becoming the athlete she is became!!

The movie makes good use of seasoned actors like Christopher Eccleston in a negative role and Stephen Graham in an excellent supporting role. And despite the serious but inspiring undertones of the movie, there is a surprising amount of comedy which raised more than the odd laugh from the audience. A special mention should also go to actress, Jeanette Hain who played Daisy Ridley's mother in the movie!! It is amazing how seasoned actors can use a simple facial expression to convey so much on screen power and emotion. For me.. hers was the standout performance!!

As for Daisy Ridley, she was very good, but truth be told.. any actress could have played the role. It just happened to be her!! There were also question marks over her character's development and screenplay.. you sometimes felt that there should have been more to hear from here!! Although, she was still great as a damsel, so innocent, so beautiful, so adorable, so.... (Clears throat!! .. I digress.. back to it...)

The movie as a whole had it's moments and as I usually say in my reviews, lacked substance in some parts!! I would have liked to have seen more of her discipline towards diet and training and more interim scenes to show how she improved from the poor swimmer she was into the winner she became!! With a run time of 1 hour 40 minutes.. it could have been at least 20 minutes longer!! There are some scenes which are cleverly shot in a way to remind you of Titanic and Cinderella Man. And although the movie ended with it's predictable and inspiring conclusion.. it did so with a truly heart-warming moment.. a moment which helps restore faith in humanity!!

Which brings me back to the beginning of this review... about expectations, choice and acceptance. People have a tendency of putting their own oar into things, and if I was doing that I would say that although this was a good movie, it was not a great one!! Had it been a certificate 15 instead of a PG, being made with a more grittier undertone and helmed by the likes of Ron Howard rather than Joachim Ronning, it would have been 10 times better!! Accepting it in the people made it.. and it is still a good movie, made to inspire with a dose of innocence to go with it!! And of course... DAISY RIDLEY!!

Daisy Ridley keeps this historical sports biopic afloat with strong support from Christopher Eccleston and Stephen Graham. Whilst it is a good movie, in more experienced hands it could have been great!

 

 

Verdict  - Matched Expectations (almost)

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga Movie Review

  

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

Synopsis: The origin story of renegade warrior Furiosa before she met Mad Max and became the Imperator.

Director: George Miller

Stars: Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke & Lachy Hulme

Runtime: 2 hours 28 mins

Genre: Sci-Fi Action Adventure

Mad Max: Fury Road which is considered by many fans and leading filmmakers to be a masterpiece in action cinema, made over $380 Million at the worldwide box office. It holds a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Furiosa which opened at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this month, started as a screenplay called well, Furiosa. It was written by Miller to simply serve as a backstory to the Furiosa character for Fury Road. It was so fully formed that Charlize Theron (Who played the role in the movie) said "Please George, can we make this one first?". 

However Miller decided to stick to his guns and make Fury Road, and the rest as they say is history.

This movie, (which spans 16 years and has been described as an 'odyssey' by Miller) serves as his biggest swing yet for the franchise, no Mad Max and a recast Furiosa. So does it pay off?

Let's break it down..

Story and Plot

Young Furiosa is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers by Dementus (Hemsworth) and his huge biker horde. Making her way across the Wasteland, as part of Dementus's crew they run into Immortan Joe at the Citadel. Soon, Furiosa finds herself in a non-stop battle to make her way home whilst serving justice on those who have captured her.

My overall thoughts...

Firstly, if you are going in expecting Fury Road you will be disappointed. This movie is more of a slow burn compared to it's predecessor. But is this movie boring? Hell to the no!

Furiosa is a high-octane fuel drenched primal slice of cinema that demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible with the best sound system (more on that later). I thoroughly enjoyed this exhilarating movie. If revenge flicks are your thing, you will love this. I was locked into Furiosa from the first frame. 

The movie is split into five titled chapters with child actor Alyla Browne playing a young Furiosa. I'd say it's nearly a 50/50 split with her and Taylor-Joy for screen time.

Chris Hemsworth is fantastic as the movie's bad boy Dementus and clearly relished the opportunity to get his teeth into a meaty villainous role. 

The movie looks incredible and the cinematography courtesy of DP Simon Duggan is beautifully shot. The set-pieces are edge-of-your-seat stuff which nicely propel the story along.

Furiosa is not only a great movie in it's own right, it deepens the love for Fury Road (Which you get to see extended scenes from over the end credits). With two movies in the bag (Not counting the original 80's movies), Dr George Miller is now starting work on a possible third instalment called The Wasteland.   

Cast

Whilst Miller was open to using Theron again in the titular role, he was less keen on using de-aging technology, so was forced to look for an actress who could play the role a good 15-20 years younger. Enter stage left... Anya Taylor-Joy. The 28 year old actress born in Miami, Florida and classically trained in ballet (Like Theron) is perfectly cast to take over the role. Whilst it's fair to say she equally shares screentime with Browne, her Furiosa is a lady of few words, her action's speak volumes. She is a tour-de-force in this movie. 

Taylor-Joy is one of those actors who fully commit to a role (she learnt to drive on the set of this movie). Having to endure four-and-a-half-hour sessions in make up to become Furiosa, she stopped short of shaving her head. Although fully prepared to, George Miller loved her hair so much he made her wear a skull cap instead. 

Chris Hemsworth whilst at first blush looks fairly similar to Thor that's where the similarities end. His character Dementus is the twisted personification of evil. A f****d up father figure to Furiosa. He spent four-hours a day in make-up to get him look less, well, like Chris Hemsworth. 

It has often been said that "a movie is only ever good as it's villain", therefore I am happy to say Hemsworth is fantastic as Dementus. He arguably steals the movie and has the most to say than any other character and could have very easily slipped into a cheesy portrayal of this mad man. But he manages to deftly toe the line, between equally funny and unhinged at the same time.

Acting duties for Fury Road's villain Immortan Joe fell to Lachy Hulme after Keays-Byrne passed away in 2020. He is excellent as the younger Immortan Joe. 

As touched on before 15 year old Alyla Browne as child Furiosa is superb and is definitely an actor to keep an eye on in the future.

Rounding out the main cast is Tom Burke as Praetorian Jack, one of Immortan Joe's men. He is the nearest thing to Mad Max in the movie. He is very good. 

Sound and Spectacle

There is more spectacle than sand in this movie. Miller was keen to work with the same crew as Fury Road in employing as many practical effects as possible, this entry feels like a seamless continuation to Fury Road. There are elements of VFX and some CGI, but it is very well done.

The movie was shot on location in Australia (Home to all Mad Max movies with the exception of Fury Road - owing to flooding). 

The sound design in this movie is incredible. I urge you to see it on a cinema screen that has the best sound system possible. The cinema I saw it in shook with the cacophony of engines only to drop to a deadly silence in the same heartbeat. 

On screen Action

When a movie features amongst other things 4,000 custom made motorbikes, you could say this movie has some on-screen action. The movie features a huge array of incredibly impressive heart pounding set-pieces. Whilst Fury Road was essentially one long chase movie and therefore in essence a movie length set-piece, the action in Furiosa is more interwoven into the larger narrative. 

One sequence in the movie which became known as "Stairway to Nowhere" in production took 78 days to film a 15 minute on-screen sequence. This set piece is also a turning point in the movie. 

Music and Score

Tom Holkenborg returns after Fury Road to compose this movie. The thunderous pulsating score helps heighten the tension throughout the movie.

A satisfying fuel-drenched slice of action cinema. If you go in thinking Fury Road 2 you'll be in for a shock, however it is a great revenge story with heart-pounding action & incredible sound. Taylor-Joy is a joy as Furiosa and Hemsworth's Dementus is truly demented.  A revenge flick for the ages. Oh what a day! What a lovely day!

Verdict  - MATCHED EXPECTATIONS