“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” is another glorious swerve in mastermind George Miller’s breathless race towards cinematic Valhalla. Retroactively enriching the iconic “Mad Max: Fury Road,” this film brilliantly augments the world-building and characters of the series. However, it prioritizes Furiosa’s tale over brain-numbing action and adventure, which might leave fans expecting a similar experience to “Fury Road” slightly unsatisfied.
In this prequel, young Furiosa is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into the hands of a great biker horde led by the warlord Dementus. Sweeping through the Wasteland, they encounter the Citadel, presided over by the Immortan Joe. As the two tyrants fight for dominance, Furiosa embarks on a nonstop battle to find her way home.
Miller’s call to action in “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” gives us more: more gravity-defying chases, more high-flying stunts, and more deeply felt pathos. It’s a thrilling addition to the Mad Max universe, even if it doesn’t quite match the relentless intensity of “Fury Road”.