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In totality, I like this film and its meaningful impact, even if it didn't find a way to suspend my disbelief throughout its unconventionality. It's about many things, including trauma, oppression, and vengeance. Perhaps the lack of nuance or depth in the most vile characters is a deliberate choice to dehumanize abusive figures. Dementus does speak, but only to justify his own inhumane actions and to make himself out as a savior. So, he's the perfect symbolic target for just deserts to fall upon. That wouldn't be much of a new story, though, and so that does justify some of the extraordinary means taken in the film's composition.

The initial tradeoff is that the villainy isn't entirely realistic, and any revenge upon Dementus seems hollowed out, empty. Nonetheless, the outrageousness of the scenes, and one in particular, kept rolling about in my mind. That, too, seems intentional. It's incidental to the plot, but there's a moment of screentime where Furiosa is tangled up with what's going on underground below the citadel. What the hags are doing under there and their attitude about it can't easily be forgotten. So, while the story comes through unevenly on screen, there seems to be some method to the madness-worming a way into our minds.

I was annoyed a bit with some things-the logistical absurdity of the society, awkward shifts to narration-but it's a fantastical show with captivating action, at times. For how different it is, I was willing to humor it all and watch. The most engaging, anticipatory scenes were often followed by narration or implied outcomes. In particular, the scenes where Furiosa is in search of a vehicle pulled me in. The scenes that follow deliberately avoid pandering to audience expectations, to send a message about what retribution might mean (and not mean) for survivors. That doesn't come off preachy, or didn't to me, but did detract from the tension built in those prior scenes. The value in such moves has me saying it is what it is because I prefer the awkward execution to even emptier cliché.

I don't usually review movies I'd give six stars, but this is a good six for the right viewer. The opening twenty minutes is outrageous given that this has *some* basis in true events, unlike sharknado-based gore. The violence would be Tarantino-like if it weren't so hilarious. Some of the action sequences are done marvelously, with densely packed care for how the dialogue, plot, and visual action line up just right and on time. But I find it hard to go above a six, despite all that, because when the movie does extend beyond entertainment, it's at that level. That almost pulls it down a bit, how simple the messaging gets. It's a nice look at nature, though, and so ridiculous it stays funny. Well acted in places, too. This was a cared-for look at animal drug use.

The film is additive in numerous ways, so the derivative devices are totally fine. At the same time, I'm not sure they were even needed. This movie has lots to offer. Perhaps due to the nature of the context the movie develops-a fractured modern existence-vignettes pervade and touch upon an array of converging forces.

It's not sci-fi, in how it feels, but there's that element to allow for an exploration of what's important and what isn't, in life. And, when that's sorted out, so, too, does the chaos felt amidst all that's going on in these days. So, I guess that's why it's award winning.

The pace isn't always right and the tension is uneven, in my opinion. Is that to feel like we feel now? Maybe it's intended. Or were there some complexities to this that couldn't get ironed out in time? Or did it just take me too long to figure out the centrality of parenting, besides attitude toward the "ups" and "downs" of life?

I guess the title is permissive of there being many themes. The internet makes us feel like we know everything, and yet we feel nothing. Last summer I read Stolen Focus by Johann Hari. If you're up to reading before watching this, it'll tie in quite well! Further, get ready to mitigate intergenerational miscommunication! This movie wants to heal us.