Mad Max: Fury Road was started to be discussed in this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=34154&p=566748&hilit=fury+road#p566748
But I thought it might deserve its own thread.
After having seen the film I have to say I was pretty underwhelmed and the film imho is being over-hyped and up-critiqued to an astonishing degree. The film definitely has its merits and there was a lot of thought towards sets, costumes and many of the action sequences (although they all blur together and become pretty indistinct to almost have no meaning) I was honestly bored for long stretches, which is unforgivable in an action film. With the characters card board thin and the urgency balls to the walls death race flagging frequently into summer road trip film and cannon ball run territory at times I was sitting in the movie theatre wondering why this film is being embraced so deeply. The pageantry is a lot of fun and the gender/power themes it seems to be attempting are interesting but I could get that done better road trip across the desert wise in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (which I wondered a few times if it was reference material) while for over the top rallies I could get it done better with Speed Racer, Rat Race and Cannon Ball Run. I couldn't figure out why "Judge Dredd and Tank Girl trying to save the Fashion Models from the Insane Clown Posse Tour 2075" was resonating so deeply.
Then it hit me.
This isn't the film people have been waiting (wanting) for 30 years, and picking up speed the last 10, but the reality. Mad Max: Fury Road is basically Peak Oil Porn. I think because the film is so simplistic, almost mindless, but pleasing to the eye (really you spend more time admiring little touches on motorcycle padding and hood ornaments which take you out of the action) that you feel good experiencing a post apocalyptic reality. In a weird way it tickles the anxiety of such scenarios but only enough, to only hose you with another "Cirque De Soleil in collaboration with Gwar" sequence, ad nauseum, to where a "The Hills Have Eyes" for the whole family is created.
Maybe I'm just old fashioned, but I like me post apocalyptic visions bleak, not chic.
Cirque De Soleil
GWAR
Priscilla Queen Of The Desert