tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post9222232108288418330..comments2024-03-28T14:49:36.133-04:00Comments on John Kenneth Muir's Reflections on Cult Movies and Classic TV: Cult-Movie Review: Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)John Kenneth Muirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-44857205258851214792015-05-31T03:11:45.393-04:002015-05-31T03:11:45.393-04:00I really liked this film. I am going to be disapp...I really liked this film. I am going to be disappointed in the other films I end up seeing this year. The action is amazing and the visuals are endlessly impressive. I also could not get over how effective the sound was. After seeing the film with my son, I told him at times my heart was racing and I was gripping the arm rests of my theater seat.<br /><br />I've heard the complaints that "Fury Road" is anti-male. Geez, it is no more anti-male than "Commando". And why is everyone so obsessed with measuring how "strong" the female characters are in action movies? I didn't even think about how fine a leader or how tough Furiosa was. She was what she was, regardless of gender. I actually think George Miller did a disservice to the character because her image was more "manly" than that of the brides she was saving. I'm not certain why Charlize Theron's normal look wasn't acceptable for the part. Maybe I missed the reason...<br /><br />I realize that Women in film have often been undercut, misrepresented and minimized. But that isn't present in EVERY movie. I suppose this movie could be viewed by some with men being the cause of all of the problems with the world, but the lead male characters were ultimately generous and integral to Furiosa's success. I actually enjoyed seeing the tough old ladies mixing it up with the men during some of the later chase scenes. But am I required to read that presence as a promotion of Feminism? I don't want to. I'd rather promote equal-not-special if equality is truly what society desires. Do strong female characters need to be pointed out all of the time? Why can't they just "be"?<br /><br />"Fury Road" also contains commentary on religion that is about as subtle as a sledgehammer. I can't speak for other religions, but as a Christian, I have been taught to glorify God with confession of sins, good works, praise and contentment. I'm generally coming up short on all of those things, but I'm bummed about the implication that Nux isn't "right" until he sacrifices himself for someone else. Glorifying God includes good works, which I personally think would include sacrificing yourself in a car wreck if it came to that. In Nux's case, he rolled the truck to save his friends. But you seem to contend that he no longer took that action to "get good" with his god, but to be civil (or something), and that was the right reason to do it.<br /><br />The still photos that you provide with your review are amazing. I can't believe how these and so many of the other movie stills from "Fury Road" look like separate works of art.whitsbrainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18171082058163775614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-34691658573006010762015-05-22T15:35:44.143-04:002015-05-22T15:35:44.143-04:00I have no "old-guy-fan-the-old-stuff-was-bett...I have no "old-guy-fan-the-old-stuff-was-better-everything-new-sucks" cynical complaining in me after seeing this film. I had almost forgotten what it felt like to come out of a theater exhilarated, touched and deeply satisfied because its been so long since this has happened. One of the best movie going experiences I've ever had. I think it's a classic and that you will be doing in depth reviews and analysis on this one into the future. There's a lot of substantial material there to go into.<br /><br />Miller dropped a bomb into the movie world here. "THIS is how you do it guys! Either get your acts together or go home."<br /><br />I love the earlier Mad Max movies but I had no idea what other work Miller had done. Looked up his IMDB page - he certainly has a wide range, doesn't he? :-)nowherehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12125582590094636085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-22392136898838099092015-05-21T11:19:28.486-04:002015-05-21T11:19:28.486-04:00Practical effects and stunts, imagination and raw ...Practical effects and stunts, imagination and raw emotions: that’s what the blockbuster/action movie business has been desperately in need of for the past decade. <br />Enough with the cg/pg-13/superhero/bland action movies! <br />Thank you Mr. Miller! <br />Best movie of the year (so far)! <br />Alexandre Bendernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-42788636959455586612015-05-21T09:24:49.522-04:002015-05-21T09:24:49.522-04:00Visually beautiful and energetic. Really enjoyable...Visually beautiful and energetic. Really enjoyable.<br /><br />-T.S.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-48816717734200777892015-05-19T18:31:04.490-04:002015-05-19T18:31:04.490-04:00I believe the ending could be considered as a re-i...I believe the ending could be considered as a re-imagining of the beginning of a more progressive Bartertown, with Furiosa and the wives a more beneficent leadership than Auntie Entity. The small brother of Immortan Joe who mans the telescope and the large muscle guy with the black helmet completely encasing his head are like the Master/blaster character, divested of their power. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-70838480441526184742015-05-19T11:57:39.382-04:002015-05-19T11:57:39.382-04:00John extremely well thought out review of Miller&#...John extremely well thought out review of Miller's brilliance in this film. <br /><br />SGBSGBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07137406272001346149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-17621439229919471812015-05-19T10:25:45.620-04:002015-05-19T10:25:45.620-04:00Wonderful review. Not since 28 Days Later had me g...Wonderful review. Not since 28 Days Later had me gripping the seat for 90 minutes have I been so physically affected by a film. The occasional fades to black were followed by a sharp release of breath. The original films are some of my favourite ever, & I've been lucky enough to visit many of the filming spots. Now I want to go to Namibia. What a backdrop! As you say, the night scenes gave the impression of a whole other world to be explored. The Splendid Angharad's ultimate fate was a complete shock too. Those spiky cars must have been a nod to The Cars That Ate Paris. Hugh Keays-Byrne was great. Worth checking out The Chain Reaction to see him play a good guy for a change (as well as a brief cameo from Mel Gibson.) I could go & on about how wonderful it was but you nailed it on the head. Now, must go see it again & bring an oxygen mask this time...David Colohannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-29921237393888976392015-05-19T09:16:42.014-04:002015-05-19T09:16:42.014-04:00Great analysis and I think it will be wishful thin...Great analysis and I think it will be wishful thinking to hope Mad Max Fury Road rips up the superhero template of CGI summer blockbusters.<br /><br />Not likely sadly. More Marvel to come to be sure. More summer garbage too.<br />Thankfully MIller made a blockbuster from an Aussie perspective. It has all of the Hollywood action trappings but better, and it's also a much smarter summer film than these pictures are ever allowed to be.<br /><br />Loved your assessment on every front of this film. There is indeed a lot<br />of smart, heady, philosophizing in play amidst all of the action and even some of that is handled visually and physically rather than merely expounding on a <br />given theme or issue. It's a wickedly clever Max film.<br /><br />Good point about Fury Road pre-dating Beyond Thunderdome. You never know. Auntie Entity could indeed be the kind of resulting female empowerment that capitalized on the themes of women breaking their chains here. <br /><br />Also, your full assessment of the Nux character is really good. For one of the minions Miller does a great job of giving this character real depth and shining the light on a representation of those that fall prey to such idolatry. Miller makes him a full, valuable individual - a life of significance.<br /><br />Anyway, a lot to think about with this film. It is certainly not a run of the mill summer movie. I have absolutely no interest in Age Of Ultron. In fact, I would see this again before seeing that film.SFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.com