The Big Picture The 25 Best Movies of the Century: No. 9 - 'Mad Max: Fury Road’
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Oct 14, 2025 Explore the exhilarating world of 'Mad Max: Fury Road,' hailed as a groundbreaking action film. The hosts highlight its silent film qualities and the stunning performance by Charlize Theron. They dive into the film’s kinetic editing and striking visual palette, discussing how sound design amplifies the experience. The history of its creation and George Miller's unique worldbuilding are examined, alongside comparisons to other iconic action films. Join the lively debate on its emotional resonance versus its spectacle-driven nature.
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An Unprecedented Action Achievement
- Mad Max: Fury Road is an unprecedented action achievement in how stunts, editing, and filmmaking cohere.
- Amanda Dobbins and Sean Fennessey call it possibly the century's greatest filmed action sequence.
A Vivid Theater Experience
- Sean Fennessey recalls seeing Fury Road alone and feeling like he received "a syringe full of adrenaline."
- He describes it as one of his most vivid moviegoing experiences.
Feels Like A Modern Silent Film
- Fury Road often reads like silent cinema because it tells much through visuals rather than dialogue.
- The film emphasizes faces, expressionistic framing, and forward momentum over exposition.
