THE ART OF MAD MAX: FURY ROAD

Now we’ve all had the chance to see the glory that is Fury Road (what? You’ve not? Go – NOW!) we can fully appreciate this (somewhat inevitable) tie-in coffee table art book.
Through a collection of amazingly-reproduced photographs, storyboards and pre-production artwork we can re-live the film, picking out fine points which may (and probably were) missed in a blur of sand and screeching wheels. Get to see the elaborate tattoo etched onto Max’s back before he becomes a living blood bank, Nux the War Boy’s chest scarification, which is meant to be an internal combustion engine, as well as marvel at the stunningly detailed set design of The Citadel. As everyone has sat in awe in the cinema at George Miller’s stunning vision, it’s glorious to be able to take one’s time and immerse yourself in the world once more. 
There’s plenty to devour here, and tasty facts on almost every page; such as Max’s jacket being modelled on the original Road Warrior leather, which was found in the building of producer Kennedy Miller Mitchell, mouldy and dirty. The wardrobe department recreated the look right down to little details, as well as keeping the famous American football shoulder pad and missing arm.

There’s several interesting revelations; such as the aforementioned Nux, who in the early Brendan McCarthy illustrations looked like a cross between Bullseye from Daredevil, and Tank Girl; the detail in the twisted macabre adornments in the cars and on the sets, the masks and weaponry.
Oh, and those cars… there’s plenty for the petrolheads to feast their eyes on as each of the supped-up vehicles get their spot in the limelight. From Max’s famous V-8 Interceptor to the elaborately knocked-together monsters such as Immortan Joe’s imposing Gigahorse, which incorporates two Cadillac bodies mounted (intentionally) very sexually on top of each other.

It’s also fascinating to read how much of the effect and stunt work was done in-camera. Sure, there’s CGI shots filling out the expanse of The Citadel, and the terrifying toxic storm couldn’t have taken place without computer enhancement, but the sheer volume of practical props, effects and sets makes this an absolute pleasure to flick through and absorb. Like the film itself, it’s a pleasurable assault on the eyes, and certainly an essential addition to any film fan’s collection.

INFO: AUTHOR: ABBIE BERNSTEIN / PUBLISHER: TITAN BOOKS / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW