Review of Mad Max (1979) by Lord N — 13 Sep 2010

This film is the absolute epitome of 70's-80's cheesy action films. Well, the film had a low budget so there is not too terribly much that they could have done to make the film look really good. But it was still an extremely entertaining film.

Acting: decent. not too much is required. It's just an action film. They're not trying to make a film that wins all of the acting awards they are simply making a film that entertains the audience for 1 1/2 hours. Mel Gibson (jeez, I've never seen him that young) did a good job as Max. The characters were good. I liked them. Good villains too. 8.5/10.

Plot: great plot that I really liked. The setting is the dystopian future for Australia just like the rest of them (just as a side note, fate had it that I saw all three Mad Max films just in reverse order. Thunderdome, then The Road Warrior, then Mad Max) There are a lot of biker gangs, Mad Max being awesome, the usual stuff. 8.5/10.

Screenplay: it had a good screenplay. again, not Oscar worthy but still good enough for an action film like this one. 8/10.

Likableness: this film is extremely likable. one of the better cheesy 70's-80's action films that I have seen. (The Terminator beats it though). Mel Gibson does a good job as Max, the action is solid, you just kinda have to like it. It is a fun action film. It doesn't really need to be anything else. 10/10.

Final Score: 35/40 87% (N).

TRIVIA TIME: 1. Cameos.

A. James McCausland: The bearded man wearing an apron in front of the roadside diner watching the police cyclists and tow trucks drive away is the film's co-writer.

2. James Wan and Leigh Whannell credit the film's final scene, in which Johnny is given the option of cutting off his own foot to escape, for inspiring the entire Saw series.

3. The auto accident scene was made as realistic as possible, thanks to director's George Miller's experience as a medical doctor.

4. Hugh Keays-Byrne modeled his performance of Toecutter after historical records written about Mongolian warlord Temujin, also known as Genghis Khan.

5. Tim Burns (Johnny the Boy) was so into character that he annoyed everyone on set, and was abandoned one day during lunch while handcuffed to the wreck.

6. The first scene shot was that of Johnny breaking the chain on the overpass phone. He appears hurried not only because of the storyline, but also because the film company didn't have permission to shoot on that overpass.

7. The "get-out-of-jail-free card" that Goose gives the triker was an on-set joke. Because of the limited budget, the biker gang was an actual biker gang (the Vigilantes), and they had to ride to the set each day in-costume; often with their prop weapons displayed. Since the production company expected them to be pulled over by the local police, each was given a letter explaining the film's peculiar requirements, and asking for law-enforcement's understanding & cooperation.