So, it's no secret that I adore the "Mad Max" film series more than most humans adore things like their children, and food, and breathing. They are quite simply five of the greatest films ever made, and examples of the finest that cinema has to offer, made by George Miller, one of the most extraordinarily gifted directors to ever step behind a camera.
One of the people who is quite aware of my love for these movies is fellow film critic and podcast host Jim Laczkowski, the man who created and runs an entire podcast network called The Now Playing Network.
I celebrated a birthday in July, and Jim kindly gifted me with a new coffee table book all about this awesome series of films called: "The Legend of Mad Max: The Complete Saga From Mad Max to Furiosa" by Ian Nathan.
It's a terrific hardcover book that is a pleasure to behold and a joy to have displayed proudly on my coffee table. This large, wonderfully designed and mounted book is jammed with color, energy, and pictures that jump right off of the page.
The book features all of the films in the series in chronological order, from their creation to their release. It's packed with cool behind-the-scenes stories, wonderful quotes and some unique perspectives about the making of each movie.
The main thing that makes this book so special are the incredible pictures and spectacular design that accurately capture the visuals and tone of the films perfectly. I have flipped through the book multiple times in awe of the photos (many of which I had never seen before) and a layout of addictive charm.
The "Mad Max" series began with the 1979 original, which is quite different in style and tone than the other pictures in the series. It's a low-budget, edgy, grindhouse revenge thriller that introduces a simple, grimy universe that would eventually develop into one of the most detailed and complex fictional worlds ever created.
It made people take notice of an unknown young Australian actor named Mel Gibson, and it announced the arrival of Miller as one of the smartest filmmakers to hit the scene in years.
"The Road Warrior" (1985) ("Mad Max 2" in other parts of the world) however, blew the doors off of cinemas around the world, and it became abundantly clear that Miller was a master, Gibson was a superstar, and the Wasteland was the most vital and hypnotic post-apocalyptic setting in film.
After the incredible impact of "The Road Warrior" (still one of the greatest, most imaginative, and jaw-dropping action films ever made), Miller shifted gears and released his third Mad Max film entitled; "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome" (1985), a remarkable piece of filmmaking and, except for the tremendous action/car sequences, NOTHING like the previous film.
There was the magnificent Tina Turner as Auntie Entity, the ruler of the Thunderdome, and a bunch of weird kids that Max ends up hanging out with. This film confused most audiences, except for the true fans who loved how Miller mixed things up and refused to repeat himself in any way.
The film did OK at the box office (the two Tina Turner songs from the soundtrack fared much better), but not enough to expect a return to the Wasteland anytime soon.
In fact, it would take 30 years for the next chapter to be released....but, wow, was it worth the wait!
"Mad Max: Fury Road" was released on May 15th, 2015, and, quite simply, it changed the face of cinema, and it is possibly the Greatest Action Film Ever Made....period.
"Fury Road" took the world by storm, won a ton of Oscars, and turned a whole new generation onto the work of Miller and the world of the Wasteland.
Then, this year (almost a decade after the release of "Fury Road") Miller released "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga," a remarkable, awe inspiring piece of filmmaking that left many people scratching their heads (much like "Thunderdome" did in 1985) and complaining simply because it WASN'T "Fury Road."
What many moviegoers fail to realize is that Miller will never, EVER repeat himself, rest on his laurels, or make some lazy sequel....it's just not in his blood.
Almost everything about "Furiosa" is different than "Fury Road," from the time frame of the story, to the depth of detail, to the scope of vision. It was jarring for many people, and as a result, the film is considered (wrongly) to be a failure artistically simply because it's not the same movie as "Fury Road."
"Furiosa" is a masterpiece, and yet another extraordinary piece of cinema from a master. What people need to do is quit complaining, and start appreciating the fact that no one makes movies like Miller does, and that sometimes an artist is waaaaay ahead of most of his audience and it will take a while for the mere mortals to catch up.
George Miller's "Mad Max" films are the best series of films ever made (yes, better than the "Star Wars," "Lord of the Rings," "Indiana Jones," and "Harry Potter" movie combined), and Ian Nathan's lovely book is a wonderful way to celebrate the genius of the movies.
It's also, simply, one of the coolest looking books that I own, and a tome that I will look at regularly with a great silly grin on my face...the same silly grin that I have on my face when I watch the movies.
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