'Mad Max: Fury Road': A Primer on the Oscar-Winning Film

— -- In case you haven't heard, "Mad Max: Fury Road" cleaned up at the Oscars last night, taking home six awards in total.

The film, which stars Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, grossed roughly $376 million worldwide, so chances are you've seen it. But if you haven't, here's what you need to know and why it was such a hit.

Yes, this is another post-apocalyptic movie, directed by George Miller, but it's nothing like anything you've seen before ... ever. The visuals are simply stunning. And it was filmed in a desert setting which makes it that much more of an accomplishment.

Then there's the borderline crazy story behind the film.

Max Rockatansky, played by Hardy, is our possibly insane hero, if you can call him that. He is trying to escape the Citadel, ran by Immortan Joe, a real bad guy who looks nothing like any villain that's ever graced the silver screen (save perhaps for Bane in "The Dark Knight Rises," who was portrayed by Hardy himself).

The world is short on water, and Joe uses his resources and muscle to control the population. He also has an army called the War Boys, which includes Nicholas Hoult, who you know from the "X-Men" films. Yeah, he was also Jennifer Lawrence's boyfriend at one time too.

Basically, these War Boys want to please their master at any cost and never question what Joe orders them to do.

We also have Theron’s Imperator Furiosa, who drives for Joe, but has other plans in mind. Furiosa wants to free some of Joe's "property," and Max ends up getting caught in the middle.

ABC News' Movie Critic David Blaustein really summed up what makes this movie so special, when he wrote last May, "Not one frame of this movie is wasted. It feels as if every moment is loaded with conflict."

Hoult, Hardy, Theron and Hugh Keays-Byrne, who plays Joe, are all scene stealers, so when you add that up, you have a movie that demands your full attention. In fact, this is not a movie, it's an experience. It's like a trip to a deranged theme park from the comfort of your own home, with a heck of a lot of blood and gore.

There's really not much more to say without giving away the entire plot of the film. But one thing is for sure, if you haven't seen "Fury Road" yet, you are missing out and should do so immediately. Also, it's rated R, so only watch if you are of appropriate age.