Mad Max: Fury Road (2012)

Back in 1978, Australia joined the league of kick-ass action movie-producers with the one and only ultimate action road adventure known as Mad Max. Led by the young Mel Gibson, it told the story of Max, a loving family man who turned vigilante kick-asser extraordinaire in the barren wasteland of the future, battling horrific bad guys on the road with his side kick dingo in his V6 engine black vehicle of destruction. This was a milestone for the Aussies as back in the day, they weren't that well known for action movies. Only long, boring, incomprehensible flicks with a lot of people crying (or maybe not). Whatever it is, Mad Max is a historic pivotal point for not just Australian cinema, but also ALL action flicks with its superior and brutal road action scene.

The Skinny: The future is dark, grim and very dangerous.

The Helmer: George Miller - original Mad Max helmer for both Mad Max, and Mad Max: Road Warrior.

The Cast: Tom Hardy as Mad Max and Charlize Theron as his moll (?)

The Prediction: Please, please don't screw this up. Mad Max is an institution in itself, showcasing one of the finest road battles ever committed to movie reels. If its an update, well and good, but if its a POLITICALLY CORRECT update, then we are doomed. I don't see the relevance of having an A-list female star along side Max because Max has been a loner throughout his violent career since the loss of his wife and family. New chicks don't and shouldn't enter frame.

Things You Should Know about Mad Max

The Director

Contagion (2011)

An all-star cast led by Matt Damon in this new action adventure flick by acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh. What can go wrong? Not much.
 
The Skinny: A team is set up to counter the global threat of a new disease.

The Helmer: Steven Soderbergh - The Last Time I Saw Michael Gregg (2010), And Everything is Going Fine (2010), The Informant! (2009), The Girlfriend Experience (2009), Che: Part One (2008), Che: Part Two (2008), Ocean's Thirteen (2007), The Good German (2006), Bubble (2005), Ocean's Twelve (2004), Eros (2004), K Street (2003 - TV 10 episodes), Solaris (2002), Full Frontal (2002), Ocean's Eleven (2001), Traffic (2000), Erin Brokovich (2000), The Limey (1999), Out of Sight (1998), Schizopolis (1998), Gray's Anotomy (1996), Fallen Angels (1993 - 1995 TV), Underneath (1995), King of the Hill (1993), Kafka (1991), Sex, Lies and Videotape (1989), Winston (1987), Access All Areas (1985 V), Yes: 9012 Live (1985 V).

The Casts: Matt Damon (Thomas Emhoff), Jude Law (Allen Krumwiede), Marion Cotillard (Dr. Leonora Orantes), Kate Winslet (Dr. Erin Mears) Gwyneth Paltrow (Beth Emhoff), Laurence Fishburne (Dr. Ellis Cheever)

The Prediction: The last time we had an action-packed movie about diseases was Dustin Hoffman's excellent "Outbreak", where there was a monkey, several choppers, Kevin Spacey dying in a spacesuit and running against time, and a big bad bomb. It did well at the box office and made Hoffman, for a very brief moment, an action hero. Although he did not kick any ass. So this time around we have a very strong cast, helmed by a very competent director, on a very current subject matter of global pandamic. I'm going to risk it and recommend that this movie is worth the price of admission because its going to be good. So there you have it: Matt Damon hot off the Green Zone kick-assery battling viruses. Now whose ass is he going to kick, I wonder ...

Information

Soderberghs Contagion to go 3D