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Mad Max
1979
Rebel bikers combat the police in a bleak post-nuclear future where the highways are bloody battlegrounds. When a gang of motorcyclists brutally murder a policeman's family he becomes Mad Max, avenger of the highways. Sequel: "The Road Warrior." Read more
| Starring | Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel, Steven Bisley |
|---|---|
| Director | George Miller |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy |
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Critics' reviews (3)
View all -
Despite its low budget, this highly inventive, violent action picture became an international hit, made a star of Mel Gibson and spawned two sequels. Perhaps the reason it cost so little was that Gibson was being paid by the word, since he, like the rest of the cast, hardly utters a syllable. But what this vigilante fantasy lacks in repartee it makes up for in rip-roaring spectacle, marvellous chase sequences, terrific stunts and natty leather costumes that set an early standard for grunge chic. Gibson is at his mean and moody best as a heroic cop, one of the few who are left trying to hold together a disintegrating society in a bleak and desolate future. In his debut feature, director George Miller exhibits a striking visual style, particularly with his use of fender-level cameras that help crank up the excitement. This landmark classic is as entertaining as it is simple, and greatly influenced subsequent 1980s action fare.
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George Miller's film is an outrageous exploiter drawing intelligently on everything from Death Race 2000 to Straw Dogs... read more on Time Out
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Violent extravaganza with no real merit save its enthusiasm for destruction of both bikes and bodies.
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
View all -
18 out of 20 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
I'm a fuel injected suicide machine.
In the future Australia is a near-lawless, desolate country (only in the future?) where gangs live for the violence and thrill of the road. The police are under-funded and spend their time chasing down speeding criminals. The best of these is Max Rockatansky, who proves his superiority on the road when he chases down and kills the notorious Night Rider. His colleagues admire him for this but the Night Rider's leader, Toecutter, swears revenge.
It was the very rawness and budgetary constraints of this little flick that made it what it was. Beautiful cinematography, fast paced action and awesome stunts make this movie a winner. Does look a little dated now but “Mad Max' still stands out as a very impressive movie. A classic tale of retribution and justice.
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- JediSi
- Posted 03 Sep 2007 22:35
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15 out of 17 people found this review helpful
Mediocre Max
This is one of Mel Gibsons earlier roles which is probably why he can appear slightly wooden at times. It was slightly predicatable in parts and I can only hope the sequels allow our knowledge of the character of Mad Max to deepen.
Plus ponts :bikers and car chase a plenty for the lads... and obviously Mel Gibson (although somewhat boyish in this film!) for the girlies. -
13 out of 15 people found this review helpful
Disappointing
I was expecting a lot after hearing so much about this film, and ended up disappointed.
This is nowhere near the great film I was expecting. The story line is very thin, and both performances and directing aren't anything exceptional (Mel Gibson, very young, is not bad though). Overall, this is an enjoyable way to spend 1h30, just nothing more.
Tip for the DVD: before you watch the film, go to the set-up menu and select language 'original Australian' or like me you'll wonder during the entire film why the voices are not in sync and why Mel Gibson voice changed so much with time! -
Most recent members' reviews (2)
View all -
13 out of 15 people found this review helpful
Disappointing
I was expecting a lot after hearing so much about this film, and ended up disappointed.
This is nowhere near the great film I was expecting. The story line is very thin, and both performances and directing aren't anything exceptional (Mel Gibson, very young, is not bad though). Overall, this is an enjoyable way to spend 1h30, just nothing more.
Tip for the DVD: before you watch the film, go to the set-up menu and select language 'original Australian' or like me you'll wonder during the entire film why the voices are not in sync and why Mel Gibson voice changed so much with time! -
Great melodrama
This really is a textbook exercise in how to make a good low budget film and while it appears melodramatic, that is entirely deliberate, right down to the 1930s Flash Gordon style wipes, the symphonic music and the over-acting. Mad Max is the epitome of anti-hero served up to us in a mock heroic style and with lashings of black humour to boot. Hugh Keays-Byrne is the ultimate movie villain, an educated thug who quite literally steals every scene he is in. If that isn't enough, you have in The Interceptor simply the coolest car ever seen in any film. Ever. Period.
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18 out of 20 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
I'm a fuel injected suicide machine.
In the future Australia is a near-lawless, desolate country (only in the future?) where gangs live for the violence and thrill of the road. The police are under-funded and spend their time chasing down speeding criminals. The best of these is Max Rockatansky, who proves his superiority on the road when he chases down and kills the notorious Night Rider. His colleagues admire him for this but the Night Rider's leader, Toecutter, swears revenge.
It was the very rawness and budgetary constraints of this little flick that made it what it was. Beautiful cinematography, fast paced action and awesome stunts make this movie a winner. Does look a little dated now but “Mad Max' still stands out as a very impressive movie. A classic tale of retribution and justice.-
- JediSi
- Posted 03 Sep 2007 22:35
-
15 out of 17 people found this review helpful
Mediocre Max
This is one of Mel Gibsons earlier roles which is probably why he can appear slightly wooden at times. It was slightly predicatable in parts and I can only hope the sequels allow our knowledge of the character of Mad Max to deepen.
Plus ponts :bikers and car chase a plenty for the lads... and obviously Mel Gibson (although somewhat boyish in this film!) for the girlies. -
13 out of 15 people found this review helpful
Disappointing
I was expecting a lot after hearing so much about this film, and ended up disappointed.
This is nowhere near the great film I was expecting. The story line is very thin, and both performances and directing aren't anything exceptional (Mel Gibson, very young, is not bad though). Overall, this is an enjoyable way to spend 1h30, just nothing more.
Tip for the DVD: before you watch the film, go to the set-up menu and select language 'original Australian' or like me you'll wonder during the entire film why the voices are not in sync and why Mel Gibson voice changed so much with time! -
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Strange film but great
This is a rather odd film, worrying if this is what the future may bring.
Despite its rather odd feel it is a great film, that resulted in two sequels that were not quite as good but still both enjoyable. -
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Brilliant Film!
I Really enjoyed this film,plenty of action,with a good story line -
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
This is great!
It's great to watch a really poorly made film with no budget, wooden actors and a thin plot from time to time! It really makes watching the quality films all the more enjoyable!
There are some terribly cliched directorial cuts here (the bird of prey) and some really over-acted pieces (Max's face when looking at the remnants of Goose in his hospital bed) - oh, the humanity!
Without the blurb on the back of the box, little clue is given to pretext and the plot is almost by numbers in places. You really should be one step ahead of this movie all the way, if you're not then you're probably surprised every week that it's Tuesday right after Monday.
Gotta love that police chief (he's so camp, he should have made the Village People!)
Bad, but so good! -
A real classic from the past
I remember watching this in the cinema and loved it. And when I brought my first dvd player this was one of the first films I brought. This is a classic/cult movie, it looks very dated compared to modern films but I still love it and it will always be one of my favorite movies.
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Aussie Classic
Superb movie!!! This is such a classic! (Can u believe that this is made by the same man,George Miller,who made the 'Babe' movies and the recently released 'Happy Feet'?) 10 out of 10 for 'Mad Max'!!!
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One of the best
This is a truely landmark movie from the late 70's. OK so it looks cheap and the acting isn't Oscar worthy but who cares? This is pure popcorn entertainment. As long as u go with an open mind u will love it.
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Great melodrama
This really is a textbook exercise in how to make a good low budget film and while it appears melodramatic, that is entirely deliberate, right down to the 1930s Flash Gordon style wipes, the symphonic music and the over-acting. Mad Max is the epitome of anti-hero served up to us in a mock heroic style and with lashings of black humour to boot. Hugh Keays-Byrne is the ultimate movie villain, an educated thug who quite literally steals every scene he is in. If that isn't enough, you have in The Interceptor simply the coolest car ever seen in any film. Ever. Period.
Critics' reviews (3)
-
Despite its low budget, this highly inventive, violent action picture became an international hit, made a star of Mel Gibson and spawned two sequels. Perhaps the reason it cost so little was that Gibson was being paid by the word, since he, like the rest of the cast, hardly utters a syllable. But what this vigilante fantasy lacks in repartee it makes up for in rip-roaring spectacle, marvellous chase sequences, terrific stunts and natty leather costumes that set an early standard for grunge chic. Gibson is at his mean and moody best as a heroic cop, one of the few who are left trying to hold together a disintegrating society in a bleak and desolate future. In his debut feature, director George Miller exhibits a striking visual style, particularly with his use of fender-level cameras that help crank up the excitement. This landmark classic is as entertaining as it is simple, and greatly influenced subsequent 1980s action fare.
-
George Miller's film is an outrageous exploiter drawing intelligently on everything from Death Race 2000 to Straw Dogs... read more on Time Out
-
Violent extravaganza with no real merit save its enthusiasm for destruction of both bikes and bodies.
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