The film “MAD MAX: FURY ROAD” (2015) tells the story of a world devastated by the energy crisis, with the narrative centered on Max Rockantansky, who is captured by the War Boys, a tyrant gang led by Joe.
“Fury Road” is the fourth installment in the Mad Max franchise, which began in 1979. The second film is titled “Mad Max 2” (1981), and the third is called “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome” (1985). The previous three films starred Mel Gibson, while this time, Tom Hardy takes on the role of Max, alongside Charlize Theron, who portrays the strong female character Imperator Furiosa.
Max Rockantansky is a former Australian police officer who experiences social collapse during a war and a resource crisis. After his wife and child are brutally murdered by a motorcycle gang, Max seeks revenge and becomes a loner in the lawless wasteland. As Australia descends into barbarism, Max’s journey leads him to help people, initially for personal gain, but eventually, he becomes motivated by idealistic reasons, genuinely aiding those in need.
“Mad Max 2” and “Fury Road” are regarded as some of the best action films ever made and have left a significant impact on popular culture. “Fury Road” made history by becoming the first Mad Max film to receive recognition from the Oscars, earning 10 nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. The film won in six categories, including Costume Design, Production Design, Makeup and Hairstyling, Film Editing, Sound Editing, and Sound Mixing.
Synopsis
In a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a female rebel fights a tyrant in search of their homeland with the help of a group of female prisoners, a crazy delivery boy and a motorbike rider named Max.
Genre: Action
Director: George Miller
Producer: Doug Mitchell, George Miller, PJ Voeten
Writer: George Miller, Brendan McCarthy, Nico Lathouris
Cast: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Riley Keough, Zoë Kravitz, Abbey Lee, Courtney Eaton
Production house: Village Roadshow Pictures, Kennedy Miller Mitchell, RatPac-Dune Entertainment
Distributor: Warner Bros. (US/International), Roadshow Films (Australia)
Release date: May 7, 2015 (China), May 14, 2015 (Australia), May 15, 2015 (US)
Film duration: 120 minutes
Plot
After an energy crisis, the world descends into a wasteland, and civilization crumbles. Max Rockantansky, a survivor, is captured by the War Boys, a group led by the tyrant Joe. He is taken to Joe’s stronghold, known as the Fort. Max’s universal blood type makes him a valuable “blood bag” for a crazed War Boy named Nux.
Meanwhile, Imperator Furiosa, one of Joe’s lieutenants, goes on a mission in an armed truck called the War Rig to collect fuel. However, she deviates from her route, leading to Joe’s discovery that his five wives (women selected for breeding) have escaped with her. Joe and his troops set off in pursuit of Furiosa and call for reinforcements from Gas Town and Bullet Farm.
Nux joins the chase with Max, who is tethered to the car to supply blood. A fierce battle unfolds between the War Rig and Joe’s forces. Furiosa steers the Rig into a sandstorm, leaving her pursuers behind, except for Nux, who attempts to sacrifice himself to destroy the Rig. Max manages to escape and subdue Nux, but their vehicle is destroyed.
After the storm, Max encounters Furiosa repairing the Rig, along with the wives: Capable, Cheedo, Toast, Dag, and the pregnant Splendid Anghard. Max tries to steal the Rig, but Furiosa activates a switch to immobilize it. Reluctantly, Max agrees to let Furiosa join him, while Nux, who had attempted to attack Furiosa, is captured by Joe’s soldiers.
Furiosa leads the group through a canyon controlled by a motorcycle gang, negotiating for safe passage. However, Joe’s team pursues them, forcing Max and the group to flee as the gang detonates the canyon walls to confront Joe. Max and Furiosa, along with Nux’s attempts to break the blockade, engage the bikers. Nux once again fails in trying to harm Furiosa, much to Joe’s disappointment.
During their escape, Angharad is killed while protecting Max, and her unborn child dies as well. Furiosa explains to Max that they are headed to a place known as the Green Place, a beautiful land from her childhood memories. Nux, who had been hiding in the Rig, is distraught over his repeated failures but finds solace with the group.
The Rig becomes mired in mud at night, and Furiosa and Max use mines to slow Joe’s forces. Bullet Farmer, one of Joe’s allies, continues the pursuit but is shot and blinded by Furiosa. Max confronts Bullet Farmer and his men, returning with a gun, bullets, and covered in blood.
They travel through swamps and deserts overnight, encountering a naked woman the next day. Max suspects a trap, but Furiosa approaches the woman, revealing her history and clan affiliation. The naked woman recognizes Furiosa as one of them, part of the Vuvalini clan. Furiosa was abducted as a child. The swamp they are passing through is revealed to be the Green Place, now uninhabitable.
The group plans to cross the vast salt flats on motorcycles in search of a new home. Max initially chooses to stay behind but, after a vision of a child he couldn’t save, convinces them to return to the unguarded Fort, where there is ample water and greenery that Joe keeps for himself. They devise a plan to trap Joe and his men in a canyon.
While en route to the Citadel, Joe’s forces attack the group, resulting in serious injuries for Furiosa. Joe positions his car in front of the War Rig to slow it down, while Max confronts Joe’s giant son, Rictus Erectus. Toast distracts Joe so Furiosa can kill him.
Nux sacrifices himself by destroying the Rig, killing Rictus and blocking the canyon, allowing Max, Furiosa, the wives, and the Vuvalini’s men to escape in Joe’s car. Max donates blood to Furiosa, ensuring her survival.
Upon their return to the Fort, the impoverished citizens celebrate Joe’s demise. Furiosa, the wives, and the Vuvalini clan are warmly received. Max shares a respectful glance with Furiosa before he blends into the crowd and departs into the unknown.