Review of Mad Max (1979) by James R — 03 Apr 2015

Set in a near future in Australia where an energy crisis has made the law a thing of the past. Biker gangs roam the outskirts of the cities raping and pillaging the innocent folk. Max Rockatanksy (Mel Gibson) is part of a Main Force Patrol (MFP) a group that makes sure people obey the law in the wilds of Australia.

Max is the best officer, but secretly knows he is becoming more and more like the savages he brings down. All he wants to do is retire and focus on his family, but eventually after a run in with notorious gang leader Toecutter (Hugh Keays-Bryne) and after his partner Jim Goose (Steve Bisley) is injured.

It's up to Max to finally bring justice in his own hands. The movie is super dated. It was made on a budget back in 1979 and its look of post apocalyptic just doesn't do it anymore. It really looks like its just all in the country and doesn't give the desolate kind of look that the future movies in the franchise give off.

Mel Gibson's entire career started from this film and its easy to see why. He doesn't have the biggest role in the film (although the title makes you think otherwise), but he has good looks mixed with a certain amount of charm that gives off a good screen persona.

There actually isn't too much action in the film. I found there were quite a few slow parts in between the various car chases (which are technologically very nice to see). Overall, it's a start to a franchise that really finds it feet with its sequel The Road Warrior (1983), but for curious fans who want to understand the origins of Mad Max this is where to start.