Netflix’s sci-fi blockbuster sequel is a flawed masterpiece
From Chris Snellgrove
| Published
There is a mania for prequels and sequels in Hollywood, but this creates a vicious circle in which successful films justify another film, but the sequel often does much worse than what came before (looking at you, Star Wars). And if the film is part of an extensive franchise, the sequel might not be the right fit badbut it’s different enough from what’s come before that it turns off audiences. That’s exactly what happened Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. At first I was disappointed at how different this prequel was Fury Roadbut after watching it again on Netflix, I’ve made up my mind Angry is a flawed masterpiece.
The plot of Furiosa
In case you’ve been living under a rock (or in an apocalyptic wasteland), here’s a quick overview of it Angry This can help you determine if you want to stream it on Netflix. We follow the adventures of the titular Furiosa as she gets caught up in the violent power play between Dementus and Immortan Joe, each of whom wants to be the supreme leader of a world powered by water and gasoline. As a member of Joe’s army, she eventually gains power and prominence, with the film explaining her character’s unexpected twist in great detail Crazy Max: Fury Road.
If you are a Fury Road Fan, watch Angry on Netflix might be confusing at first due to the cast changes: Anya Taylor Joy replaces Charlize Theron as Furiosa in this prequel film and Lachy Hulme replaces the late, great Hugh Keays-Byrne as Immortan Joe. Although he barely appears in the film, Jacob Tomuri replaces Tom Hardy as Max Rockatansky, and the cast is rounded out by other memorable newcomers including Chris Hemsworth in a wonderfully unusual representation as Dementus.
The reaction is apocalyptic
Mad Max creator George Miller returned to direct this prequel, and after the success of Fury Road (which grossed $380.5 million on a budget of $154.6-185.2 million), hopes were high for another box office success. Unfortunately, Angry crashed and burned long before it landed on Netflix: This $168 million film barely managed to recoup its budget, grossing a relatively paltry $173.8 million at the box office. The general consensus was that the film failed because it was too different from the film Fury Road (more on that soon), but it achieved a small theatrical victory: winning over the critics.
To Rotten tomatoes, Angry has a critical rating of 90 percent, with critics generally praising the film’s unexpectedly emotional core as well as the way it provides an exciting backstory Fury Road. It also has a Popcorn Meter rating of 89 percent, with viewers generally appreciating this prequel as an action-packed installment of Hollywood’s strangest franchise. This shows that those who watched Angry I liked it the most… Unfortunately, the sad fact is that far too many people will skip this film altogether unless the film achieves cult status on Netflix.
That’s a shame, even though it took me a while to realize it. Full confession: I was one of the many Mad Max fans who was disappointed with this prequel because it was very different from that one Fury Roadoffers a sprawling, character-centric origin story when I was expecting another non-stop, high-octane chase scene. I watched once Angry on Netflix, I realized I was the problem. I judged this film not to be a remake of Fury Road, as director George Miller clearly wanted to return to the ambitious world-building he initially went full speed ahead with Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome.
Everyone remembers Thunderdome for things like the titular Thunderdome showdown against Master Blaster and Tina Turner’s deliciously silly overacting. What’s easy to forget, however, is how steeped this sequel was in lore and world-building, showing us everything from the energy production of these post-apocalyptic cities to the emergence of hero cults around the fragmented memories of the pre-apocalypse. It’s uneven and admittedly not as good as the previous film, The Road warriorbut it gives fans a lot to chew on.
You should pay attention Angry on Netflix (particularly as part of a double feature with Fury Roadthat too on the Streaming platform), you’ll probably feel the same way: the prequel just isn’t as great as the previous Tom Hardy/Charlize Theron masterpiece, but it’s still great. As long as you have an open mind (and ideally a healthy love of the Mad Max series), you’ll find this a film full of entertaining performances and delightful surprises. However, if you’re expecting Fury Road: The Prequel, you’ll probably follow Immortan Joe and judge this film as “mediocre”!
So, you will find Angry a flawed masterpiece like I did when you streamed it on Netflix, or will you decide it’s time for George Miller to hang this franchise up like one of Immortan Joe’s blood bags? You won’t know until you stream it yourself. If nothing else, consider this film research… If our own world ever descends into water wars like Max Rockatansky’s world, Anya Taylor-Joy’s fighting moves could be the difference between becoming a warlord or just another warboy.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is available to stream on Netflix.
