“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga."

“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” (2024, Max via Amazon Prime)  post-apocalyptic action film. Set 15 to 20 years before the events of “Fury Road,” the film follows the title character's life for over a decade, from her kidnapping by the forces of warlord Dementus to her ascension to the rank of Imperator. 

       Set 15 to 20 years before the events of “Fury Road,” this new film follows Furiosa's life for over a decade, from her kidnapping by the forces of warlord Dementus to her ascension to the rank of Imperator. This is also the first Mad Max without Max Rockatansky (previously played by Mel Gibson and Tom Hardy).

       Created and directed by the tireless George Miller, this particular epic tells me I may have enough of the dystopian wasteland costume party. The title character is played, convincingly and excellently, by Anya Taylor-Joy and Alyla Browne as the young Furiosa. But Chris Hemsworth as the villainous Dementus is more of a confused clown than a sinister warlord. 

       But there is no story structure in this $168 million-budgeted dumpsite spectacle. All post-apocalyptic weirdness executed in stunning production design by Colin Gibson and thrift-store chic by costume designer Jenny Beavan. Replete with marvelous creativity albeit in surreal flair. 

       However, that's all there is to “Furiosa.” That desert battle scene with the “war rig” started in a swashbuckling ramble but then it was too long, it ultimately bored me. The other characters’ names though cracked me up: Dementus (for demented, I guess), Praetorian Jack, Immortan Joe, The History Man, The People Eater, and The Organic Mechanic. But my favorites are Rictus Erectus and Scrotus. 🎥💻📽