More on Mad Max

[the_moonmoth]

I bookmarked this post by giandujakiss from a few days back until I could see the film, and now I have I can't help but quote here because I agree with everything...

This is a typical Hollywood approach to romance, where women are "love interests" - meaning, the story is about men, and men things, and women are the B plot. Which in addition to all of the

Comments

[herself_nyc]

So should I go see this movie? I never saw the original, as I hate Mel Gibson with a fiery passion. But I love Tom Hardy with an equally fiery passion. So I guess I just answered my own question.

[giandujakiss]

I never saw the originals, and I loved it. I understand, from reading commentary after the fact, that there are a few subtle references to the original movies that went over my head, but I found it entirely understandable on its own terms.

FWIW, I don't hate Mel Gibson as an actor (as a person is another story), and I have no particular feelings about Hardy as an actor - and I still loved it. I saw it twice in the theater and I swear to god it's been maybe 15 years since the last time I did that.

[the_moonmoth]

Yeah, same, I never saw the originals and it doesn't really matter. The exposition (and dialogue in general) is minimal, so don't expect to understand what's going on 100% of the time, but it's hella fun :D

[swiftsnowmane]

I have seen the originals, and it is true, there are a lot of subtle references to those films in Fury Road. (One not-so-subtle and very deliberate callback is that Immortan Joe is played by the same actor who played the bad guy in the first film, which absolutely thrilled me, but I digresss...) However, while I was watching the new one, I purposefully tried to view it with half a mind in the mindset of someone who'd never seen any of them, to see if it worked as a movie on its own. And it totally does. While, yes, the film just sort of drops you smack into the middle of things without much--if any--explanation, that is exactly what the original films do as well! So, to me, even *that* aspect was in perfect keeping with the feeling of the originals--they never gave too much exposition, just started right up and never let up. I think it's great, because the world-building is done as you go along, with little pieces here and there revealing themselves along the way. I just love it. :)

[the_moonmoth]

You should you should! I haven't mentioned it anywhere, but it also starts with Max and Furiosa at each other's throats, so there's the whole spuffyish vibe of hate-to-respect that I really enjoyed. Also, the cinematography is beautiful. Also Tom Hardy ;)

[swiftsnowmane]

Well, the film has nothing to do with Mel Gibson, only the character he originated, that of Mad Max, aka 'The Road Warrior'. But the character, who is almost like this legendary figure, stands perfectly well on his own (with the help of the delicious Tom Hardy). So, I'd say you'll be absolutely fine seeing this, hehe. :D