Movie Review: Mad Max: Fury Road 2015 *Madness to Redemption*

Well…. Half way into this movie I was just wondering how I was going to write this review. What was I going to say about this movie? Here it goes…

I certainly was looking forward to the release of this movie … and was in desperate need for some chill time at the cinemas. (It was well deserved).  Mad Max surely isn't that popular as I thought it would be considering that I shared the cinema hall with just about eight other people. Maybe because there wasn't much hype or fuss about it here in Ghana. Nonetheless I would doubt if anyone who has seen the pre-release trailers would dare say “I am not interested in watching this movie”. Trust me… those teaser trailers were enough to grab my attention months ago.

Mad Max : Fury Road is a futuristic apocalyptic story set in a stark desert landscape where humanity is broken, and almost everyone is crazed fighting for the simple necessities of life. Following the story of two rebels on the run, who just might be able to help restore order. There's Max, who seeks peace of mind following the loss of his wife and child in the aftermath of the chaos. And Furiosa, a strong willed woman trying to find her way back to her childhood homeland.

Tom Hardy beat Jeremy Renner and host of likable stars to land this lead role as Max alongside Charlize Theron (Furiosa), Nicolas Hoult and Hugh Keays-Byrn.

This title actually is a reboot of the Mad Max movies starring Mel Gibson (Mad Max, Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior and Mad Max: Beyond the Thunderdome ) shot in the late 70s and 80s. (Of course I wasn't born then but I have seen all 3 movies.. I am a certified MOVIE FREAK that’s why.lol)

It’s easier for me to understand why this movie is a big deal because I have seen the earlier titles so I kind of see the need for this reboot. And that gives me more appreciation for this movie.

For starters, unlike most apocalyptic movies you might have seen instead of the usual dry, dusty deserts this one has a lot of color and depth. The directors did well to capture certain level of beauty in a dry waste land. I loved every bit of the cinematography. Compared to the previous movies you immediately feel the midas touch of technology in the making of this movie.

For the story line itself… I would describe it as, high octane, full throttle action packed and chaotic. Yes right from the start to the very end the entire story line keeps an action sequence that doesn't slow down or dull you enough to change the vibe of the movie. The chaotic madness can in no way be classified as humorous at all. If you are thinking of going to laugh at this movie expecting some “Madness” that would crack you up … forget it. It’s all seriousness with a lot of explosions and daring stunts. Insane action that would literally blow you away and have you at the edge of you seat for the entire run time.  This is a huge step up from the earlier movies… exactly what it was meant to be…equally chaotic and horrific yet more intense and breathtakingly exciting. In fact at some point it becomes even difficult to keep up with the thrill and you can’t afford to blink all for the fear for losing sight of any of the action. Oh.. there is also the hard rock fused score that just keeps your pulse rushing with adrenaline. (If there is anything else that I love next to movies, it would be rock music and or Waakye .. lol)  Although it’s cold, violent and visceral you can also feel the underlying elements of hope, loyalty, reverence and redemption.  I am confident to say all those trailers and featurettes did promise and deliver for me.

Besides the almost unnoticeable holes in the actual plot and backdrop of the movie, there also wasn't too much dialogue in the story line, especially for the Max character. I feel this was all part of the makers attempt at making him seem darker, confused and mysterious. I guess it worked even though I didn't like that. At some point I felt I like the movie should have been titled Mad Furiosa instead.  I was also expecting that the reboot would have started from before the apocalypse era like the first Mad Max (1979) movie did. Maybe the makers would consider doing that as this revamped franchise kicks off and progresses. My only fear is that some people might get lost in all the chaos and confusion and may not give this title the appreciation it fully deserves.

It’s always refreshing for me to watch a movie as thrilling and entertaining as this was. Especially one that has come back from thirty years.  I am now more interested in seeing how the follow up sequels do as well.

This is certainly time well spent.. my chill time wasn't wasted at all going to see this movie. And I can’t wait to see it again. I am scoring this  8/10.

For anyone who isn't sure about going in to see this movie… take my word for it.. GO WATCH IT.

Max Rockatansky: [Narrating] My name is Max. My world is reduced to a single instinct: Survive. As the world fell it was hard to know who was more crazy. Me... Or everyone else.

[Watch Trailer Here]

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Movie Review: Avengers: Age of Ultron 2015 *Avengers Creates Invaders*

Ok so my home boy got my back again with this one… couldn't make it for the premiere of Avengers so Lewis hooked me up with this review. Watch out for the new website soon. The ideas coming up are all very crazy… trust me.

The Avengers: Age of Ultron

Well, spending the entire week re-living the origins of The Avengers helped make real meaning to this movie. Anyone sitting in the cinema hall just to watch the The Avengers: Age of Ultron without watching Captain America (The First Avenger and Winter Soldier) respectively, both installments of Thor as well as the first installment of The Avengers would be wasting his/her time and money. Certainly, because the underlying theme of Age of Ultron largely relates to the back stories of the various Avengers.

The story sets of in a good tone in mid battle, where the previous cast reprise their roles as Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Black Widow (Scarelett Johansson), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) Captain America (Chris Evans) and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr) take down the bad guys of HYDRA led by Baron Strucker (Thomas Kretschmann) just to retrieve Loki’s (Tom Hiddleston) scepter (History) New characters Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch (Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen) join in on the battle but not on The Avengers team.

Ultron (James Spader) basically the super villain computer programme created by Tony Stark and Dr. Bruce Banner by reverse engineering the gem in Loki’s scepter plans to wipe out the entire human race with his legion of robot. This entire movie tries to blend Sci- fi with myth in a perfect mix that makes it quite difficult to even separate the two. For anyone who might have also paid close attention to the previous movies that lead or build up to this title, I am sure you would also noticed the upgrade in the costumes of the Avengers. There is no way any one can miss that. I was really impressed with the new costumes.

Director/writer Joss Whedon did great to get Stan Lee a small cameo role in the movie that I find so cool. One funny thing others may complain about The Avengers series is the fact that all terrorist and villains are of astral forms and machines. Yes it can be so because the story is FICTIONAL. What more do you expect from this perfect blend of fiction.  Also very obvious in this title is the humor. I enjoyed it. Robert Downey Jr/Tony Stark, the most funniest and his sarcasm plus equally great bits of humor from the other cast just does the job of turning down a notch the whole vibe of seriousness that followed this movie. You also get to see a good spirit of family and team building in this.

The setting as good though, travelling around the world, unlike the battle of New York.  And for the first time ….The Avengers were in Africa. CGI effects were well done and show how technology is advancing. Good one there.

Oh yes, I am sure there are going to be sequels to come as hints were dropped in there somewhere as the movie played especially at the ending scene.. With all new the new recruits assembling at the new S.H.I.E.L.D headquarters.

With a runtime of 141 minutes I am confident enough to say “Time well spent”.

Box office prediction: An Absolute Hit

My Rating: 8.5/10. Because for a second, I lost touch with reality. Could have made a 9/10 but then I woke up from Fiction Land before.

[Watch Trailer Here]

Ultron: [to the Avengers] I know you're good people. I know you mean well. But you just didn't think it through. There is only one path to peace... your extinction.

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