We are unlikely to ever see a film like Mad Max: Fury Road again.

      The moment audiences grasped Mad Max: Fury Road, it instantly felt unique. Releasing 30 years after the last film in the franchise, it seemed almost miraculous. Set predominantly in the desert, its vastness and intensity were so spectacular that, despite its unusual nature, the Academy Awards in 2016 couldn’t resist nominating it in multiple categories.

      A decade later, the film’s reputation has only intensified. While we’ve seen Furiosa, which I’d argue is just as remarkable as Fury Road, Miller’s return to Mad Max since Beyond Thunderdome undeniably left a larger cultural mark. This is a film we may never witness again, not only due to its brilliance but because no one else would be audacious enough to attempt it.

      Fury Road could have easily been a flop.

      One reason Fury Road is perceived as an overwhelming triumph is the sense that it could have quickly derailed. Much of the film takes place outdoors, and according to one of its stars, there was some confusion about the project.

      Charlize Theron shared that she felt “incredibly scared” while filming because she had never worked on a project like it and “didn't always grasp the narrative we were conveying.”

      A whole book documents the making of Fury Road. The film almost veered off course in numerous ways. Yet it stands out as a cohesive, dynamic success, thanks to the visionary behind the camera and his unique approach to the story.

      Fury Road exemplifies action filmmaking at its best.

      Roadshow Entertainment

      Perhaps the highest praise for director George Miller is that you can appreciate Fury Road without sound, and it still resonates. It represents kinetic cinema at its apex, where characters’ actions are largely conveyed through their movements, and nearly every moment on screen is about where the characters are heading next.

      It has been noted that Fury Road is essentially a two-hour-long chase. Ironically, the main characters choose to turn back a little over an hour in and return to their starting point.

      The apparent futility of that plot could undermine a film lacking the vibrant visual style of this one. Instead, the film impressively delivers a punch not despite the circular journeys of its characters but due to the interplay of action and stillness. These characters are striving for a better life and come to understand that they must create it themselves.

      Director George Miller operates at the height of his abilities here, having had the resources to craft what appears to be the exact film he envisioned. While Furiosa, despite its brilliance, is more measured and operatic than Fury Road, this level of action cinema at such a scale is rarely seen, and it captivates from the very beginning.

      It features a generational performance at its core.

      Warner Bros

      Fury Road is exceptional, but perhaps its most striking aspect is how it focuses on its main character's emotional journey amidst the surrounding chaos. Theron’s Imperator Furiosa is such a memorable character that Miller was compelled to create an entire prequel centered on her.

      Much of this is attributable to Theron’s performance. As Furiosa, she is fierce, vengeful, and protective, serving as a pseudo-mother to the wives she liberates. The film’s most pivotal moment is hers alone, as she collapses onto a once lush desert, realizing the futility of her entire plan.

      Additionally, it’s significant that Furiosa seamlessly takes over from Max, with the film appearing designed to support that handoff. The moment where Furiosa makes a shot that Max cannot, using him to steady her rifle, is brilliantly subtle, brilliantly executed by both Theron and Tom Hardy.

      Fury Road was a gamble, unlikely to be replicated today.

      Mad Max: Fury Road Warner Bros.

      Fury Road excels because it feels daring. It represents a type of film that could either be a huge success or a complete failure. Fortunately, it turned out to be the former. Modern blockbusters are often characterized by a desire for guaranteed profits.

      This prompts filmmakers to smooth out every detail until only universally appealing elements remain. Fury Road contains visuals that could easily alienate, and indeed, such imagery likely disturbed some viewers. Despite not grossing $1 billion, Fury Road was still a success, achieving a level of word-of-mouth recognition that’s uncommon in Hollywood.

      Few directors have the opportunity to create exactly what they envision on such a grand scale, and even when they do, it rarely turns out as bold and impressive as Fury Road. We should celebrate the existence of this film whenever possible. It is one of the greatest cinematic experiences we may ever encounter, and it seems unlikely we'll see another like it anytime soon.

      Purchase or rent Mad Max: Fury Road on Amazon or Apple.