Review of Mad Max (1979) by Nate H — 21 Dec 2014

Although not the series high point, this film paved the way for a sequel that would define a genre, a look and style that had never been seen before, used widely still to this day. Max is a slick and incredibly good road officer, stuck in a futuristic world where biker gangs and degenerates rape and pillage normal life.

After accidentally causing the death of a member of one of these gangs, Max is soon hunted down and is left no choice but to turn his back against the law and cause as much pain as possible on the gang.

This was one of Mel Gibson's break out roles and although the dialogue is hammy pretty much throughout the entire thing, Mel actually manages to pull off a likable man, pushed over the edge. Little can be said about the majority of the supporting cast however, who really are over acting the hell out of it.

Something about this however makes this film such a joy to watch, its unique! It feels different and it follows in Sergio Leone's footsteps of having every character actually be a character, regardless of how stupid they may come across.

Where this film truely shines however is George Millers directing, his eye for filming action and imagination for apocalyptic settings makes this movie a marvel to watch. The locations are desolate and dry, you feel like the world has totally went to shit.

His car chases and action sequences also are just a cut above the rest. He gets the camera in all the right places, which for the seventies was a tough job. Car chases invigorate and give a sense of dread and tension.

Max's transformation into law breaker is excellent and the practical effect work done here is top drawer, which is why this film has not only stood the test of time but is now having miller add to his franchise.

Its not all perfect, a good portion of the acting is bad and you are left with a feeling that we were just getting started by the time the credits roll but luckily Mad Max 2 was created which turned this glimpse of a future into a staple for every apocaplytic movie, pretty much ever made.