Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review
Score: 93
from 7 reviewers
Review Date:
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga's 4K UHD Blu-ray is a visual and auditory feast with reference-quality Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos, making it a highly recommended addition.
Disc Release Date
True 4K
HDR10
Dolby Vision
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Video: 98
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga on 4K UHD Blu-ray boasts a stunning native 4K presentation with HDR and Dolby Vision, delivering an eye-searingly vivid and detailed visual experience. The disc's exceptional depth, color richness, and razor-sharp detail make it a definitive demo-worthy release for home theaters.
Audio: 99
Furiosa’s 4K UHD Blu-ray features a Dolby Atmos mix that astounds with immersive surround activity and powerful LFE, rivaling the likes of Dune Part Two. From crystal-clear dialogue to Holkenborg's intense score, this track is a demo-quality experience that delivers expansive and dynamic audio throughout.
Extra: 82
The UHD release of 'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga' boasts a well-rounded selection of high-quality featurettes, highlighted by the 57-minute 'Highway to Valhalla: In Pursuit of Furiosa' documentary, providing in-depth production insights, while segments on Taylor-Joy and Hemsworth are more routine.
Movie: 90
While Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga diverges from the relentless action of Fury Road with a decade-spanning, character-driven narrative, it remains a visually stunning and audaciously ambitious addition to the franchise, featuring ambitious Dolby Vision HDR visuals and immersive Dolby Atmos audio on 4K UHD Blu-ray.
Video: 98
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga on 4K UHD Blu-ray from Warner offers a visually striking native 4K presentation that fully leverages HDR and Dolby Vision encoding. Displayed in the original aspect ratio of 2.39:1 with a 3840x2160 resolution using HEVC (H.265) codec, the film dazzles with its high saturation and bold stylization. The use of both HDR10 and Dolby Vision expands the color palette dramatically, offering eye-searing pops of color from fiery oranges to lush greens. Fine details in skin textures, war paint, and the intricate designs of over-engineered vehicles are rendered with impressive clarity. The digital intermediate, completed in 4K, ensures this is one of the best visual experiences available in the 4K format.
The image quality remains consistent throughout with stunning brightness and balanced contrast, rendering searing whites and deep blacks without any noticeable macro blocking or banding. The heavily stylized appearance captures the essence of a scorched wasteland, mixing hellish red tones with darker, nightmarish blues. Despite the occasional softness due to CGI, the encode achieves a remarkable level of detail, from grains of sand to the grime on characters' faces. Even the wide shots maintain an impressive level of detail, thanks to superior encoding. Black levels are deep and rich while still preserving detail in shadows, avoiding any evidence of crushing.
Shot on Arri Alexa 65 and RED V-Raptor cameras, the transfer's sophisticated visual depth is undeniable. From vibrant explosions to darkened sandstorms, the 4K UHD disc showcases every extravagant action sequence with hyper-real clarity and vividness. Whether it's the extreme close-ups or the expansive industrial backdrops, each scene is bolstered by HDR enhancements that tighten colorful moments and manage sunlight glare effectively. Overall, Furiosa stands as a magnificent example of what the 4K UHD format can achieve, making it an essential disc for any collection.
Audio: 99
The Dolby Atmos track on the 4K UHD Blu-Ray release of "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" is an absolute powerhouse, immediately establishing itself as one of the best immersive audio experiences available this year. Dialogue, although sparse, remains clear and well-prioritized across the frontal array, ensuring intelligibility amidst the frenzy of sound effects and the film’s intense score. The soundtrack is meticulously balanced, with Tom Holkenborg's propulsive score providing an almost relentless backdrop that ties seamlessly into the narrative. The soundstage is massively expansive, with precise imaging allowing effects to move naturally through the soundscape, engulfing the listener in a truly three-dimensional audio experience.
A significant highlight is the powerful use of Low-Frequency Effects (LFE), which rival those found in high-profile releases like Dune Part 2. The pervasive roar of engines and heavy machinery delivers a thunderous low-end that will test the mettle of any subwoofer system, providing a tangible sense of weight and presence that enhances the film's visceral impact. The surround channels are equally active, with seamless transitions of discrete sounds—from the distant hum of war bikes to the explosive chaos of battle sequences—providing constant engagement. The utilization of overhead channels further amplifies the immersive quality of the track, especially evident during action-packed set-pieces where sounds cascade from all directions.
Furthermore, atmospheric effects are flawlessly integrated, offering a rich tapestry of ambient noise that envelops the listener. Even quieter moments benefit from this detailed mix, maintaining an engaging auditory atmosphere throughout. Whether it's the echoing dialogues set against barren landscapes or the chaotic tumult of combat, the Dolby Atmos mix ensures that every sonic element is presented with clarity and dynamism. Optional subtitles are available to enhance accessibility, catering to various audience needs. Overall, this Dolby Atmos track is an exemplary piece of sound design, delivering a comprehensive and exhilarating auditory experience that sets a new standard for home theater audio.
Extra: 82
The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" includes an array of engaging extras that dive deep into various aspects of the film's production, though it lacks the much-anticipated Black & Chrome version. Notably, the nearly hour-long “Highway to Valhalla: In Pursuit of Furiosa” stands out as a comprehensive making-of documentary, offering valuable insights through interviews with director George Miller, producer Doug Mitchell, and the cast, among others. Other shorter featurettes maintain a similar professional tone, focusing on key actors and complex action sequences. Each supplement is well-produced and informative, providing fans a deeper appreciation for the film’s elaborate production process.
Extras included in this disc:
- Highway to Valhalla: In Pursuit of Furiosa: Detailed making-of documentary.
- Darkest Angel: Anya Taylor-Joy as Furiosa: A look into the actress's portrayal of Furiosa.
- Motorbike Messiah: Chris Hemsworth as Dementus: Examination of Hemsworth's role as the main villain.
- Furiosa: Stowaway to Nowhere: Behind-the-scenes of a key action sequence.
- Metal Beasts & Holy Motors: Insight into the design of vehicles and props.
- Digital Code: Includes a digital copy of the film.
Movie: 90
"Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" immerses viewers in a deeply imaginative post-apocalyptic world, brilliantly envisioned by director George Miller. Set 15-20 years prior to "Mad Max: Fury Road," the narrative explores the harrowing origin of Furiosa. The film’s cinematography, designed by Simon Duggan, beautifully encapsulates its comic book aesthetic, each scene meticulously framed to convey the vastness and desolation of its settings. Anya Taylor-Joy captures the stoic ruthlessness of Furiosa, embodying her developmental arc from displaced child to resilient warrior with silent intensity. Hemsworth’s portrayal of Dementus is noteworthy, blending villainy with subtle humane touches, while Tom Burke’s Praetorian Jack delivers a solid, albeit less impactful, supporting performance.
The film's narrative diverges from the frenetic pace of "Fury Road," unfolding over a 16-year span. This expansive runtime is marked by individual chapters, each rich with character development and survival horror. Notably, Furiosa's trials as Dementus’ adopted daughter merge her stealth and combat skills, culminating in a visceral revenge arc. Action sequences, though more sporadic than its predecessor, are executed with breathtaking ingenuity – particularly a standout war rig heist that heightens the stakes and tension.
While "Furiosa" doesn’t reach the relentless tempo or spectacle of "Fury Road," it compensates with its robust storytelling and profound thematic depth. The film emphasizes the cyclical nature of violence and the destructive quest for power, echoing the cautionary undertones of its universe. Despite some pacing issues and reliance on digital effects compared to its practically-shot predecessor, "Furiosa" stands as an ambitious addition to the Mad Max saga. Its dramatic finale, coupled with Miller's intricate world-building, ensures that Furiosa's journey is both compelling and essential viewing for fans of the franchise.
Total: 93
George Miller’s “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” may have encountered some box office hurdles due to a delayed release and peripheral marketing issues. However, the film itself offers a captivating return to Miller's high-octane post-apocalyptic world. Starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth, the prequel expands on the Mad Max mythos with distinctive visual flair and gripping performances. The 4K UHD release by Warner Bros. does justice to the film’s ambition, delivering an exceptional audiovisual experience with Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos support, making it a must-see for fans of the franchise.
The 4K UHD disc shines technically, featuring a 2.40:1 HEVC aspect ratio and multiple audio options including Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 Core) for English, Italian, French (Canada), and Spanish. Subtitles are available in English SDH, French, Italian, Spanish, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish. Despite the lack of a combo pack, the disc serves as an audiovisual demo disc par excellence. The inclusion of insightful background documentaries enriches the home viewing experience, providing further depth to Miller's unique vision of a dystopian future.
Although “Furiosa” might not entirely match the intensity of its predecessor, “Fury Road,” it remains a worthy entry in the legendary franchise. With its robust home video release, fans are treated to reference-quality video and audio, ensuring that George Miller’s latest opus lives on in stunning detail. The bonus features, while not exhaustive, complement the high-caliber presentation and make this edition an essential addition to any collection. Highly recommended for both long-time fans and newcomers, "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" is an audiovisual triumph that demands to be seen, ideally on a state-of-the-art home theater system.
avforums review by Casimir HarlowRead review here
Video: 100
WCG and HDR, of the Dolby Vision variety, afford the film an immense level of eye-searing pop, from the bombastic pyrotechnics to the landscape-redefining sandstorms, maintaining core depth and consistency...
Audio: 100
one of the absolute best immersive audio tracks of the year Dialogue is gifted clarity and, where required, prioritisation - at least what little dialogue there is - across the frontal array, but there's...
Extras: 80
Furiosa comes to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray in a variety of largely packaging-defined forms, although there's one thing that's missing from the standalone Furiosa set - whether you get it in Amaray or HMV Exclusive...
Movie: 90
Charting the rise of a young child - Furiosa - taken from her desert paradise and brought up in the midst of an insane conflict between a group of wasteland warlords and an angry young upstart who threatens...
Total: 100
a real one-of-a-kind sequel/prequel that the cinematic landscape could absolutely do with more, not less, of Warner's 4K release of Furiosa certainly does it justice, with multiple options, all of which...
AV Nirvana review by Michael ScottRead review here
Video: 90
Even though it really doesn’t peak more than 50 mbps on the bitrate meter, the film looks incredible as most of the time we’re at night with cool blues, or in the daylight with bright oranges and ruddy...
Audio: 100
Extras: 70
In Pursuit of Furiosa • Stowaway to Nowhere • Metal Beasts & Holy Motors • Darkest Angel: Anya Taylor-Joy as Furiosa • Motorbike Messiah: Chris Hemsworth as Dementus...
Movie: 80
I was fully expecting to not like the whole insinuated romance between Jack and Furiosa, but it was actually rather organic and served to actually explain WHY Furiosa was able to keep a piece of her humanity...
Total: 80
The 4K UHD disc is absolutely mind blowing in terms of audio/video, with the only negative being Warner’s resistance to releasing combo packs....
Blu-ray.com review by Randy Miller IIIRead review here
Video: 90
Presented in its fittingly wide original 2.39:1 aspect ratio, Furiosa carries with it several visual similarities to the earlier Fury Road, from its largely blue-and-orange desert locations to the virtually...
Audio: 100
Extras: 70
Darkest Angel: Anya Taylor-Joy as Furiosa (10:19) - Returning to more predictable territory, this much shorter piece finds the actor -- as well as several other cast and crew members, including actor Charlee...
Movie: 80
Yet its subtle to substantial changes -- not to mention Furiosa's expanded narrative structure, which is presented as five linked chapters -- mostly work well within an otherwise near-identical universe,...
Total: 80
Initially planned to be shot alongside Fury Road but stuck in development hell for several years due to contract and budget disputes, its long-delayed completion shows that Miller and company were able...
DoBlu review by Matt PaprockiRead review here
Video: 100
While the flesh tones carry a bronzed glaze, that’s the aesthetic at work, and the Dolby Vision captures this beautifully....
Audio: 100
LFE at this intensity is rare, matching the likes of the recent Dune 2 in its might, and a top-end disc with certainty....
Extras: 80
The real winner is the 57-minute making-of that’s tremendously detailed, making up the difference as it provides deep insight into the production....
Movie: 80
With a cult-like following, other men follow for their own piece, hopelessly expendable and too enamored by the potential of power to see it....
Total: 90
While lacking the punch of Fury Road, Furiosa is a fantastic addition to the mythical franchise....
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 100
The Dolby Vision HDR presentation also parades about with a spot-on contrast and brightness balance, showering every scene with crisp, searingly-hot whites and superbly clean, resplendent specular highlights...
Audio: 100
A commanding, authoritative low-end packs a serious, thunderous wallop that will stress the system's subwoofers, providing the visuals and the vehicles with an impressive sense of weight and presence throughout...
Extras: 40
Furiosa: Stowaway to Nowhere (HD, 11 min) is an in-depth look at a pivotal action sequence and the enormous amount of work, time and stunts that went into crafting the entire thing....
Movie: 80
Similar to what Miller did in the first movie that launched Mel Gibson's career into A-list stardom, the plot is a slow build of a person still clinging to some semblance of the world as it was before...
Total: 100
The spin-off prequel expands on his post-apocalyptic vision of a dystopian wasteland that features memorable performances by Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth, giving fans another awesome addition to...
Home Theater Forum review by Todd ErwinRead review here
Video: 100
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga was captured in 6.5K resolution on Arri Alexa 65 cameras with some footage captured in 8K using RED V-Raptor and Komodo cameras, completed as a 4K digital intermediate in the 2.39:1...
Audio: 100
This is a highly immersive track from start to finish, with sounds emanating from nearly every possible area of the room and moving seamlessly from one area to the next....
Extras: 60
In Pursuit of “Furiosa” (1080p; 57:00): This is a fairly in-depth look at the making of the film, including cast and crew interviews and behind the scenes footage....
Movie: 80
Furiosa is then held captive with Joe’s many wives who are being used to breed a male heir for Joe, eventually escaping and pretending to be a mute boy, working her way up the ranks of Joe’s army, helping...
Total: 80
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is a thrilling but slightly overlong film that will look and sound great in your home theater....
AVSForum review by Ralph PottsRead review here
Video: 100
may not be a well-rounded, stand-alone, film, however, it makes for a top notch companion to its predecessor, proving to be entertaining, and perfectly suited for those that love great popcorn flicks....
Audio: 100
The use of audio objects placed above and at ear level is a mix of atmospherics, discrete effects, and music....
Extras: 70
In Pursuit of Furiosa • Stowaway to Nowhere • Metal Beasts & Holy Motors • Darkest Angel: Anya Taylor-Joy as Furiosa • Motorbike Messiah: Chris Hemsworth as Dementus Digital Code...
Movie: 80
Sweeping through the Wasteland, they come across the Citadel presided over by The Immortan Joe....
Total: 88
Ralph Potts AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews Reference Review System: JVC DLA-NZ7 4K Ultra High-Definition Laser Front Projector (Calibrated with Calman color calibration software and Portrait Displays C6 HDR2000...
Director: George Miller
Actors: Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke
PlotIn a post-apocalyptic wasteland, young Furiosa is ripped from her idyllic homeland, the lush Green Place, and thrust into a harsh, mechanized world ruled by the despotic warlord, Drayk. Separated from her family and left to fend for herself, she is forced to endure brutal training and harsh conditions as she evolves from a desperate captive into a fierce warrior. Driven by the constant memory of her lost home and the desire for freedom, Furiosa begins to plan her escape, all while navigating the deadly politics and vicious rivalries within Drayk's twisted hierarchy.
As she gains strength and allies in unexpected places, Furiosa's path intersects with other wanderers of the wasteland. Together with a mysterious wanderer and a rebellious band of renegades, she embarks on a perilous journey filled with high-octane chases, savage skirmishes, and explosive confrontations. Each step brings her closer to her origins and the ultimate clash that will decide not only her fate but also the fragile hope for a new order in the world gone mad.
Writers: George Miller, Nick Lathouris
Release Date: 24 May 2024
Runtime: 148 min
Rating: R
Country: Australia, United States
Language: English