Since its debut in 1979, the Mad Max series has become a classic of post-apocalyptic action cinema.

Nine years after the release of “Mad Max: Fury Road” in the southern region of France, George Miller was warmly welcomed once again on the Croisette. Audiences at the global premiere of director’s latest action film, “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” went wild for his newest installment, with a six-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival on the evening of May 15th (local time). “We worked very hard on this film,” Miller said succinctly.

Since its debut in 1979, the Mad Max series has become a classic of post-apocalyptic action cinema, highly acclaimed by critics. Over four decades later, “Mad Max: Fury Road” continues to assert the series’ prestige with its extreme depiction not only of violent, brutal combat scenes but also of the harsh atmosphere of a ravaged world, depleted resources, and the brutal struggle for survival.

In its 120-minute runtime, the film delivers continuous, evenly-paced sequences of intense drama without causing any shock. The action scenes are diverse and rich, taking place in various settings such as the desert, mountain passes, underneath trucks, on top of war rigs, inside vehicle cabins, featuring an array of different weapons.

Set in a post-apocalyptic world before the events of “Fury Road,” “Furiosa” sees Taylor-Joy taking over the lead role from Charlize Theron. At the beginning of the film, a young Furiosa is kidnapped and held captive by a group of bandits led by Warlord Dementus (portrayed by Hemsworth).

Director and screenwriter George Miller, at 70 years old, demonstrates masterful skill in crafting a tightly-woven, dramatic story with valuable insights into desert warfare. The vast desert landscape not only provides a conducive environment for action scenes but also enhances the visual spectacle. The use of 3D technology accentuates the dominant red color scheme, elevating the film’s extreme and dramatic atmosphere to its peak.

Attendees of the film screening were not limited to the cast, including Cannes Jury President Greta Gerwig, Cannes President Iris Knobloch, and several influential guests from the film industry. The buzz surrounding “Furiosa” was largely positive, with many festival attendees drawn to Miller’s latest cinematic adventure.

The prequel to “Fury Road” was one of the most anticipated premieres at Cannes this year. The fifth installment of the “Mad Max” series is set to release on May 24th in the United States by Warner Bros., with hopes from the studio to match or surpass the global box office revenue of $380 million earned by “Fury Road.” With a budget of $168 million, “Furiosa” will need to generate a box office frenzy to turn a profit.