WARWICK SHOWCASE

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA
* * * *
(Gruesome, Action-packed Prequel)

Fans of this gruesome, action-packed genre will love the non-stop mayhem in this prequel to “Fury Road.”

Anya Taylor-Joy, who starred in the Netflix hit, “The Queen’s Gambit,” shows a completely different side of her acting abilities as Furiosa, a heroine’s heroine, who beats all odds in gaining revenge for her gut-wrenching abuse.

This post-apocalyptic saga takes place in a landscape of sand and rock formations that cry out death and destruction.

We first meet Furiosa as a child, living peaceably in the Green Land, a bit like the Garden of Eden, where she is searching for apples.

Her innocence is stolen from her by a bunch of mean-looking guys on motorcycles, ending up as pet slave of Dementus (Love the names of the characters), played by an unrecognizable Chris Hemsworth.

Gangs fight long, gory battles with crude weapons and jerry-rigged trucks that involve more stunt men than ten “The Fall Guy(s).”

The battles end at the Citadel, a guarded fortress where gas is stored.

It all comes down to Dementus and Furiosa battling each other in a tense and torrid fight to the death.

Along the way, we learn what happened to Furiosa’s arm in a scene that will make you cringe.

If you like this sort of thing, you will find yourself out of breath watching the unbelievable vehicles chasing each other across the desert and over rock formations.

I still can’t believe Furiosa is played by the same red-headed, sophisticated star of a series about chess.

IF
* * *
(Cutesy fantasy film with a message)

IF stands for Imaginary Friend, and Bea has a bunch of them.

The 12-year-old girl has had a rough life. She lost her mom to cancer and her dad is in the hospital.

Her imaginary friends help her cope with her situation.

There are some good lessons for kids, and adults, about dealing with loss and holding on to the good memories.

The animation is good and director John Krasinski has rounded up some big stars, including Ryan Reynolds and Steve Carrell, to voice the lovable characters.

GARFIELD
* * (Adults) * * * (Children)

The pizza and lasagna eating comic strip cat is back in a feature that plays out like the old Saturday morning cartoons.

A prequel explains how Garfield was abandoned by his father and taken home to live with John and his dumber than dumb dog, Odie.

There’s a kidnapping, a ploy involving a mean Persian cat, and a long ending with Garfield saving his father on a fast-moving train chased by the cat, ending with forgiveness and bringing his father home to join the family.

There are a few inside jokes that the kids won’t get, and some boring moments for their parents.

Stick to the comic strip.