I gave this film: 5 stars
Why?
An action-filled wasteland that is constantly moving, the world of Max is chillingly similar to our own. Glory is given to machinery and power, and the flat desert acts as an expansive stage to display all the action. This film was a wild ride from start to finish, filled with exciting climaxes and poignant moments, as well as spectacular action sequences. It's advertised as a chaotic 2-hour car chase, and it is. But, the characters inside the vehicles have strong motivations and literally drive the film forward to an exciting conclusion. This is the main factor that separates the film from other action films. Both the female and male characters have believable strengths and weaknesses, and the female protagonists are given tangible drives that don't revolve around romance, which was refreshing and empowering.
The action sequences have their merit but would not have been successful without the depth of character. A devoted warrior battling over loyalty and glory, a shell of a man determined to find a purpose, and a high-ranking warrior searching for redemption give the story layers and meaning. Though the individual stories of the characters could have been explored more deeply, the nuances they were given allows the audience to invest in their journey.
The technical aspects, the cinematography and quality of the props, namely the entirely real cars and explosions, created a striking look of professionalism and spectacle to make the film even more exciting and raw. The rawness of this film in terms of the costumes, makeup, props, and stark desert landscape set it apart as a world of its own where the audience is transported. The score created the aura of this industrial world of metal and sand with pounding drums and screeching guitars adding to the chaos. Each car chase is fueled emotionally, and the quieter scenes of the film explain where that emotion is coming from. The score creates emotional peaks and valleys from the intense rock music to epic orchestral themes, carrying the audience on a wild ride through the film. The pacing of the film was a bit erratic but was all a part of the chaos of the warring clans of the wasteland. I was out of breath by the end, confused and slightly shocked, but also very satisfied.
