Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)

It takes Furiosa 148 minutes to drive somewhere you’ve already been. Prequels have that problem built in, and George Miller makes it worse with chapters that sprawl across years, so the energy keeps stalling. Anya Taylor-Joy doesn’t even show up until a long way in, and once she does, she barely says a word. Her eyes do the talking, and they’re good at it. Alyla Browne, as the young Furiosa, carries the first stretch just as well. Chris Hemsworth is a blast as Dementus, a caped warlord with a teddy bear, talking nonstop like a used car dealer at the end of the world. Then there’s the War Rig attack, a long, brilliant sequence with raiders swooping in on kites, and the best action of its year. It made $174.4 million worldwide on a reported $168M, so a lot of people skipped it. An 8.2 because the filmmaking is jaw-dropping and the story takes the scenic route. $83.24 says you spot a teddy bear on somebody’s dashboard this week and instantly distrust the driver.

What works: The War Rig attack is a stunning piece of action filmmaking, and Chris Hemsworth makes Dementus a gloriously chatty villain.

What doesn’t: The chapter structure sprawls across years and keeps hitting the brakes, and the adult Furiosa arrives late with very little to say.

Who it’s for: Fury Road fans who want the wasteland’s backstory and will happily sit through the slow stretches for the chases.