Review of Mad Max 2 (1981) by Bryan C — 26 Sep 2015
If Mad Max was the perfect representation of a grimy grindhouse flick, then The Road Warrior is the perfect representation of 1980s action. I know, I know, that is such a tall order considering all of the classics, but this film delivers on every level.
The film picks up with our hero, Max Rockatansky, as he treks through the wasteland searching for a purpose. On his journey, he stumbles upon a group of people that will need his help, while helping him in the process.
You have all the makings of a fantastic action flick: Well choreographed and shot action, memorable characters, the silent hero, the comic relief...The list goes on. What the film does right is looked at as a cliche today, but The Road Warrior is basically the gold standard.
Mel Gibson is back at Max, but this is a complete turn around from the vibrant Max we saw before. He only talks when he needs to and says only what is necessary. He doesn't get attached. This is a broken shell of the man we were introduced to, and Gibson plays it perfectly.
The rest of the cast all hold their own, but most aren't around long enough to leave an impression. Action wise, there are some highly impressive scenes here that are memorable long after the film ends.
Plot and pacing wise, the plot keeps it simple and the film moves at a breakneck speed to the explosive finale. In a world where sequels tend to be inferior to their predecessors, The Road Warrior shines as a huge leap forward for the series.
This review of Mad Max 2 (1981) was written by Bryan C on 26 Sep 2015.
Mad Max 2 has generally received very positive reviews.
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