Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Action movies are usually not my go to, sometimes I enjoy them, but often I find that the story gets lost in all the special effects and long fight sequences. I have seen so many action movies that feel like a cash grab instead of a real piece of cinema. To put it short, I don’t lower my standards for action movies and I believe when done well, action films can be just as riveting as a drama, thriller, or noir. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) is my favorite action film of all time because it does an incredible job of mixing breathtaking action sequences, a seamless script, and some of the most impressive cinematography I’ve ever seen. 

Mad Max: Fury Road is directed by George Miller and is set in a post apocalyptic future in the desert. The tyrannical Immortan Joe enslaves apocalypse survivors, and when Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) leads the dictator’s five wives on an escape, and aligns with Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy), a former captive who travels alone. Protected by a massive truck, they have to outlast the autocrat and his subordinates in a lethal pursuit throughout a desolate wasteland. 

The entire movie is stunning and has many strong points in it’s acting, writing, and impressive set design, but in my opinion, the cinematography of this film is the standout. This film was shot in the deserts of Namibia and cinematographer John Seale does an incredible job at  capturing color, thrilling stunts, and the wild costumes and makeup to make this movie really special. Every frame of the movie is a work of art in itself. As we have seen in big Hollywood blockbusters dozens of times, too much editing and over the top special effects can look cheap and cheesy, but John Seale does an incredible job of making Mad Max’s world feel raw, believable, and terrifying. 

If you aren’t someone who usually likes action movies, I would give Mad Max: Fury Road a try. It’s not just a crazy road chase throughout the desert, it also incorporates elements of the effects of climate change, the roles of women, and an overall themes of humanity and objectification. This movie is an exhilarating work of art and is action filmmaking at its peak.

This video captures the beauty of Mad Max: Fury Road perfectly.