REVIEW: Mad Max: Fury Road (15)

George Miller, the septuagenarian director, returns with his latest Mad Max movie - Mad Max: Fury Road. No Mel Gibson here, but replaced by the ladies favourite, Tom Hardy. Also featuring a few other well known names including South Africa’s finest, Charlize Theron, Mad Max takes it forward for the next generation.

Using a dazzling array of amazing stunts (here’s to the old school) and minimal computer aided special effects, Mad Max features a dystopian world where everything seems to be miles away, and the people are all a bit strange.

The world in which they live is one I would never like to live in, but it draws you in with its dystopian vibe and barren landscape. Tom Hardy grunts his way through the movie, and for all that he plays the titular character, the main character, it could be argued, that Furiosa (Theron) is the main hero(ine?).

The bad guys are suitably clownish and crazy with a side order of sinister and evil. The movie is pretty much a road trip from one place to another – then they turn around and come back again. Although light on story, the movie is a dazzling array of stunts and explosions and there is an awesome guitarist with flames coming out of his guitar which pretty much plays for the entire movie as the soundtrack.

The cars (sorry, I think I would be better placed saying vehicles) are characters unto themselves and are often garishly made. Imagine The Fast and the Furious cars with horns and pipes and spikes and a jaded paint job and you wouldn’t be too far from this movie.

The movie is really quite good and I enjoyed it even though it was light on story and heavy on action. But, when a movie is this gripping, you can forgive such fallacies.

There are a couple of points about the movie I want to raise though – this includes the fact that Mad Max doesn’t really feature in this movie as much as he should have, and there was not a lot of dialogue or work for Hardy to do – apart from being tied up and being grumpy. Nicholas Holt’s character Nux, was suitable crazy and helped keep up the frenetic tempo we would expect the film to be. He also gets the best line: “Oh what a day, what a lovely day!”  Theron does a good turn as the heroine taking the slave girls away from the antagonist, and trying to save them. She is suitably kick ass and is a strong independent woman.

The movie overall is a good one, and there is talk of a few sequels too – hopefully Max will be featured more in it, but if not, maybe there’s more scope for a Mad Maxine or something. Who knows?

Mad Max: Fury Road is available on DVD, Blu Ray and download/streaming now.

POPSCORE: 8/10 

What am I talking about? Mad Max: Fury Road

Where can I find out more? http://www.madmaxmovie.com/

If you like this try: The original Mad Max movies, Fast And the Furious (if you like the road trip/car racing part), The Book of Eli, I Am Legend (both of these if you like the apocalyptic loner thing)

REVIEW: American Sniper (15)

Bradley Cooper harnesses his inner Chuck Norris in the contemporary biopic American Sniper. Directed by seasoned veteran Clint Eastwood, American Sniper stars Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, the legendary American Sniper - one of the greatest marksmen in American Military history.

I remember when this movie came out there was a lot of "hoo-yah" (to quote the Marines) about it glorifying war and the role of the military.  Personally I found it a moving and compelling story about a man who wanted to fight for his country and what he believes is the greater good. His views may come across as a bit controversial in certain aspects - he doesn't seem to have remorse for killing people but views it more as war and necessary - but the film does an interesting job at highlighting the strains on family and relationships through having a significant other away fighting while trying to rear a child in such a tumultuous world.

The movie is based on the novel, American Sniper, which is basically the autobiography of Chris Kyle - and therefore is written by him. The movie starts with him in a warzone making a difficult call on whether to shoot a citizen in Iraq and just before that decision is made it cuts back to a time in history where we see a pre-military Kyle rodeo-ing and living his life. He decides to change career after an injury and becomes a member of the elite Navy SEALs. After a Full Metal Jacket style montage of training we are dropped right in the action with him and we see him go to war in a number of campaigns and we also get to see his relationship blossom with his family too - marriage, children and post-war years.

Cooper does a fantastic job of bringing the legend that is Chris Kyle to the big screen and the war sequences are reminiscent of my favourite war movie Black Hawk Down. The supporting cast are great too - Sienna Miller puts in a good performance as Chris's wife Taya - who tirelessly brings up their children while he is away protecting his fellow marines.

All in all this is a fantastic film, and although is heavy on American patriotism and definitely justifying the war on Iraq, the film also has an interesting take on the personal side of war and the toll it takes, not just on the military personnel involved but also the families of those servicemen who go to fight. The end of the movie features real life footage in a tribute to the real Chris Kyle.

Tense, taut and thrilling this film is actually really good.  American Sniper is rated 15 and is out on June 1st on DVD and Blu Ray and all good download sites.

POPSCORE: 8/10

What am I talking about? The movie American Sniper

Where can I find out more? http://www.americansnipermovie.com/

If you like this try: Black Hawk Down, We Were Soldiers, Saving Private Ryan 

Anything else?
The movie is based on the book called American Sniper by Chris Kyle.