rupak_speaking
Saw none of the Mad Max movies when I decided to view this one running on TV to get a feel of what the series is all about. Minutes into it I could relate with the post-apocalyptic American movie Cyborg which I saw long back. There is little dialogue in this one, but the costume (had a touch of Star Wars), expressions, music, action sequences, typical of the 80s, did all the talking here. I was fascinated by the fact that it was running along a very thin line, where this unique directorial venture could either turn out to be a classic or a crap. I won't say I was particularly impressed by the movie but the style caught my eye, I found it different from what I saw till date. Hard to rate this one, would go with 6.5/10
TheBigSick
The 1981 movie "The Road Warrior" is a highly overrated action film. The story is naive and the action sequences are mediocre. There is simply nothing thrilling. Perhaps the only surprising scene is when Wez climbs up the truck and scares the Feral Kid. It can hardly match its 2015 sequel "Fury Road".
Amy Adler
In Mad Max One, Max Rockatonsky (Mel Gibson) was a great cop. But, the earth was falling apart from a destructive world war and his job got much, much harder. Finally, when his wife and young son were killed, Max walked away from the force after sticking it to the bad guys one more time. Now, he and his dog roam the wasteland of inner Australia, always on the lookout for food and fuel. He has, one observes, become a "shell of a man". No wonder. The human race has self-destructed, with lawlessness and chaos the rule. In the outback, Max has a close encounter with a gang of marauders. One member in particular, Wez (Vernon Wells, superb), sporting a mohawk and exhibiting ruthless behavior, is miffed that Max wins the first round. He shouts out that revenge will be his at some later date. Then, Max stumbles upon a gyrocopter pilot and his underground home. It WAS Max's idea to steal some fuel but, after the pilot has a run in with the fierce canine, this loner tells Max about a nearby compound with an immense cache of gasoline. It's true. As Max and Gyro watch from a hiding place, they spy the gang trying to bargain with the honorable folks of the well guarded fortress. Then, all too soon, the gang captures a small number of heroes, sent from the compound to look for a truck to haul the fuel. Those caught are killed, horribly. In retaliation, a small feral boy kills Wez's partner with a sharp boomerang. Hate fills the gangs' hearts. After Max finds a way to talk to the fortress folks, he proposes two things. One, he knows where a suitable truck is concealed in the desert. And, two, he Max wants a huge amount of fuel in exchange from him delivering the truck at night. Will these folks trust Max? Will anyone survive the terror of the vicious gang members? This classic film, a sequel which is even better than the first movie, is thrilling, in a dark, dark way. The violence is horrific so no one under 18 should really see it and even then, some won't want to chance it. But, beneath its rough exterior is a superb dystopian tale of survival, loyalty, and courage. Gibson is terrific as the wanderer whose heart is so damaged, he can scarcely go on. Likewise, Wells is absolutely terrifying in one of the most applauded villain portrayals of all cinema. All of the other cast members are fine, too. The setting of desert wasteland has to be seen to be believed and the costumes are very original and fitting. Add on a great script and a relentlessly driven direction and the results are staggering. The Road Warrior deserves its place in the action movie hall of fame.
