I'm surprised that no one has yet mentioned that it was directed by George Miller, the director of the original three. (I still found Thunderdome to be an abortion.) Miller did minimize the use of CGI, in fact. I'm sure Theron's missing arm was a CGI trick, though. Were portions of it stupid and nonsensical - yes! So were the originals, honestly. Interestingly, the actor playing Immortan Joe was the same Indian/Australian actor who played Toecutter in the original 1979 film.
I went to see it expecting mindless entertainment, Mad Max vehicles made on a BIG budget, and nonstop action. With that in mind I was not disappointed. The drum/flaming guitar vehicle made me laugh every time I saw it, as I'm sure was the intent. I thought of it as a modernized apocalyptic fife and drum. Great tension building in the chase/fight scenes. It delivered for me.
Here's some trivia for you. I noticed at least a couple of nods to The Road Warrior. One of the "wives" had a hand operated music box movement in her hands, just like the one Max gave to the Feral Kid. Also, his sawed off shotgun misfired in exactly the same manner as it did in the Road Warrior.
Anyone notice any others?