Directed by: George Miller
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
Written by Nick McCann
97/100
“Mad Max” became a smash hit like the cars it destroyed. As the 1980s came around, scores of derivatives from around the world were spawned for a piece of the post-apocalyptic mayhem cash cow. Director George Miller and star Mel Gibson got behind the wheel again and created an arguably better film than “Mad Max.”
“The Road Warrior” sets us firmly in the series’ now iconic wasteland. The direction is much more assured this time around, once again letting the world and chaos organically develop through visuals. Which take on a bigger scale and are not too dissimilar from any great American Western. It keeps you hooked as you ponder the background details and what’s left over from civilized times. This post-apocalyptic world is brutal, nasty, and unforgiving to those without the spine or fuel to take it on. Atmospheric in its quiet moments and bombastic when it goes loud.
Gibson returns, now an older and more broken Max. His physicality is committed and convincing, and one look at his face reveals his underlying internal conflict. Other cast members do a solid job of expressing how crazy the world has gotten. From a boomerang-favoring feral kid to a muscle-bound hockey mask-wearing warlord, all are great characters that underline just how insane the world has become. Vernon Wells stands out as the crazed Wez, constantly intense and projecting rage. His mohawk and football pads costume design set a new precedent in this corner of filmmaking.
The action also becomes significantly more visceral. Car chases do more damage, and people are mangled harshly. Watching each stunt is thrilling and often puts modern cinema to shame. “The Road Warrior” is shot beautifully and cut together with a distinct, gripping rhythm (the POV telescope sequence is particularly striking). All that to say the action got a tremendous upgrade this time around! Brian May returns with an even more imposing score, heightening the frenetic danger.
It’s safe to say that Miller took some proper notes going into this one, and it paid off. What worked about the first “Mad Max” is noticeably amplified for the better, along with some more excellent conceptual additions. “The Road Warrior” is a gnarly hit of adrenaline that people are still being inspired by to this day. A high artistic fixture that seemingly couldn’t be reached again for years. Decades even.
“Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior” Trailer
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