Furiosa (⭐⭐⭐⭐) is a relentless, adrenaline-pumping actioner from #GeorgeMiller, set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The film's action sequences are brutal, exciting, and innovative, featuring engaging set pieces and characters. Despite a somewhat thin premise, the action remains a standout. #ChrisHemsworth delivers a compelling performance, his intimidating presence suggesting potential for a spin-off origin film for his character. #AnyaTaylorJoy is commendable, bringing sufficient depth to her role. However, the subplot exploring Furiosa's origins feels weak and underdeveloped. Overall, Furiosa serves as a worthy prequel with unparalleled action choreography, although the climax may feel off and stretched, potentially disappointing fans expecting a stronger ending.\r\n\r\nWatch or Not?\r\nIf you liked Mad Max Fury Road, then go for this, action lovers go for this. Keep expectations at bay.

The young "Furiosa" (Alyla Browne) is captured by some rogue bikers and despite the best efforts of her sharp-shooting mother is help captive by the menacing "Dementus" (Chris Hemsworth) who rather paternally calls her "Little D"! This dystopian world really consists of three powers. The "Immortan Joe" (Lachy Hulme) in an unassailable citadel where food and water are plentiful, the "Guardian of Gastown" (Peter Stephens) who runs the last refinery producing petrol and the "Bullet Farm" - a quarry. They have a loose bartering arrangement that allows each to hold their own territory and this is arrangement "Dementus" and his army of thousands wants to take control of. He does manage to secure a better deal with "Joe" but only if he trades his "Little D" as part of the bargain. Once she's been duly swapped and introduced to his harem, she determines that she needs a new ID! Years go by as she passes for a boy, moves up the food chain at the Citadel and is finally sent on war-rig duties trading gas for food. It's now that she (Anya Taylor-Joy) encounters the war-rig driver "Praeteorian Jack" (Tom Burke) and, thinking he might be a conduit for her to get back home, joins forces for some battles royal. As origin stories go, this is good end to end stuff, quickly paced and packed with action right from the beginning. Hemsworth is highly entertaining as the prose-spouting monster and there are loads of supporting characters - the likes of "Smeg", "Rictus Erectus" and "Scrotus" to characterise these gangs of violent and ruthless half-wits. ATJ doesn't really have that much to do for most of this, and has virtually no dialogue - but when she is on screen she works well with her ninja skills coming to the fore. I didn't love the ending, it drags a bit and is entirely predictable, but this holds up well for 2½ hours and the stunt work and live-action photography is impressive.

I enjoyed <em>'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga'</em>, which is a rightful addition to the <em>'Mad Max'</em> franchise. I personally would say that the run time is way too long, like this does not need to be a 2hr 20min+ movie. With that said, I still got the desired amount of entertainment from this 2024 flick. Chris Hemsworth is outstanding, easily the most I've wanted to see a character onscreen from this series; he fits the role perfectly. Anya Taylor-Joy puts in a very good showing as well, her character doesn't say much so a lot of the performance is reliant on her visual emotions - which Taylor-Joy portrays on point. The rest of the cast are on the same level to me, all support the show well without rising near the lead two; similar-ish story for the whole franchise, in truth. Visually the movie looks cracking, while the action matches prior installments in providing the vast majority of what makes these films so worth the watch. This prequel/spin-off is one I'd put in the top bracket from this series, it's up there with <em>'Mad Max: Fury Road'</em> - which does just slightly edge ahead.

**Wonder Woman ** Lately, it seems Hollywood has been casting great actresses in strong female roles but pairing them with subpar writing. This movie is not one of those. I went in with the mindset of "here we go again," but came out surprisingly satisfied. The story, acting, and action are all top-notch, and it seamlessly leads into "Mad Max: Fury Road" without missing a beat. Don't skip this one—it's probably the best in the franchise.

Some decent action sequences as expected though, from my memory, doesn't come close to the epic chaos from Fury Road. The acting for the most part was fine and Chris Hemsworth seemed to be having some fun in his villain role while Anya Taylor-Joy was fine as Furiosa. However, having this coming out 9 years after Fury Road and a spin-off of a character that frankly I had little interest in, was the downfall of this prequel. Beyond that, the plot itself wasn't enthralling and at times I was pretty bored. I wish we got an actual Mad Max: Fury Road sequel with Tom Hardy; why they went this route is puzzling, but not to mention taking so long to get it out. It's not too surprising this bombed at the box office and was the death nail of the franchise. **2.75/5**

George Miller definitely had it him to make it epic. I hadn't seen Fury Road since it came out, so I took the liberty to watch it and finish it an hour before I went to go see Furiosa, and personally, I liked Furiosa more. The antagonist felt a lot more connected to the plot and the world building was better, you were able to get more of a scope of the world. Anya Taylor-Joy is one of my favorite actresses, everything she's in is good and this is no exception. The cinematography of this movie was also more creative. The only drawback for me was that the vehicle designs did not seem as special as Fury Road's. They just seemed like the basic motorcycles and 18 wheelers, which isn't that bad, it's just a little sad. Overall a great watch, better than any of the fast and furious movies for sure. MangoMeter: 8/10