We are getting close to unveiling out Best Movie of 2015 and today we are heaping praise on Mad Max: Fury Road - which is in at number four.
I have to admit, I am not a huge fan of the original Mad Max movies and I am not old enough to have ever seen a Mad Max movie on the big screen. It was back in 1985 when Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome was released... fast-forward thirty years, and George Miller is back in the director's chair with Fury Road.
I was not sure what to expect when I sat down to watch Mad Max: Fury Road, what I got was an action-packed film that doesn't allow the audience to catch a breath for 120 minutes. It really is unlike any other movie that has hit the big screen this year.
Haunted by his turbulent past, Mad Max believes the best way to survive is to wander alone. Nevertheless, he becomes swept up with a group fleeing across the Wasteland in a War Rig driven by an elite Imperator, Furiosa. They are escaping a Citadel tyrannized by the Immortan Joe, from whom something irreplaceable has been taken. Enraged, the Warlord marshals all his gangs and pursues the rebels ruthlessly in the high-octane Road War that follows.
Mad Max: Fury Road has well and truly breathed new life into this sci-fi franchise and long may George Miller keep on pumping out movies that are as terrific as this one - no one could have brought this franchise back but him.
Mad Max: Fury Road is one of the most insane movies that I have watched and Miller keeps that action coming as you are bombarded with moment after moment of high-octane, edge of your seat thrills. It really is a visual spectacle that has not been equaled all year.
From the opening scene to the closing credits, Mad Max: Fury Road is one of the most bonkers movies that you will ever see... but boy did I love it. For me, Mad Max: Fury Road surpasses all of the other films in this series and really did set the standard for blockbusters in 2015.
Tom Hardy took over the role of Max Rockatansky in what is a truly relentless performance from the British actor. Max is not the chattiest character that we have met this year, but Hardy is such a good and expressive actor that he conveys all of his emotions through his face - it really is a wonderful performance.
Hardy is terrific in the film, but, for me, it is Charlize Theron who really does steal the show as she is one bad ass chick. I love the strength of this character and I just wish that we had more female roles like this.
It is great to see Theron throw herself into this kind of movie, but she and Hardy both bring a certain level of gravitas to their roles. There is a great on-screen relationship between the pair, as they go from being suspicious of each other to working together.
If you want a movie that is fast-paced, action-packed and totally mad, then this is a film that you cannot afford to miss as it ticks all of those boxes. It is one of those movies where you really get swept along for the ride... it is just a terrific viewing experience.
Mad Max: Fury Road was a critical and commercial smash this year as it went on to gross over $375 million at the global box office.
It was named best film by the National Board of Review and leads the Critics' Choice Awards. The film also picked up two Golden Globes; Best Motion Picture - Drama and Best Director for Miller. Mad Max: Fury Road has a real chance to be in the Best Picture Oscar mix when the nominations are announced next year.
Take a look at our Best Movies of 2015 countdown so far: