Cannes, France - The Cannes Film Festival slipped into high gear on its second day Thursday by screening the new "Mad Max" blockbuster and firing the starter's gun on its competition for the Palme d'Or.
"Mad Max: Fury Road", a demented sci-fi road battle movie starring Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, gave a jolt of adrenaline and glitz to the Riviera event, which leans heavily to arthouse fare.
The previous day's opening was by comparison low-key, with a small-scale French social drama starring Catherine Deneuve, "Standing Tall", as the red-carpet event.
Although largely Australian, "Fury Road" threw a bit of Hollywood glitter over the festival, confirming the event's status as the premier international showcase for commercial and arthouse fare.
Advance press screenings brought rave reviews for the superlative stunts and action sequences of "Fury Road"..
The official, black-tie viewing -- coinciding with its worldwide roll-out -- was to take place later Thursday with stars attending.
Rolling Stone magazine said the movie was a "brilliant cinematic fireball" and The Hollywood Reporter noted that its director, George Miller.
AFP
