Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Chris W

  
  This is easily one of those cases where the sequel is in fact quite superior to the original. You don't necessarily have to have seen the first to get this one, as the opening scene fills in some of the gaps, though it wouldn't hurt because that one is a good film, and… More
  This is easily one of those cases where the sequel is in fact quite superior to the original. You don't necessarily have to have seen the first to get this one, as the opening scene fills in some of the gaps, though it wouldn't hurt because that one is a good film, and seeing it will also help make sense of why Max's outfit looks like it does. It's been five years since society collapsed and Max lsot his family and was pushed over the edge. The world has now officially become post apocalyptic, and gasoline is a rare, precious commodity. Max xis just an aimless drifter wandering around the wastelands searching for fragments of a life long gone, which includes a quest for fuel. He happens across a fuel depot guarded by a scraggly band of survivors, and he ends up joining forces with them in an attempt to fend off a violent band of bizarre warriors led by the fearsome Lord Humungus. Most of that quest (and indeed a large chunk of the running time) is devoted to a chase sequence wherein Max drives a truck containing a massive fuel tank the survivors had been hording. He drives it for them on their way to a spot 2,00 miles away: a place rumored ot be the last remaining paradise around. That's basically it for plot. Throughout the film, and especially during the epic chase, there's a pretty sparse amount of dialogue, and that's actually pretty awesome. There's a lack of strong character development and world building (which, had these been included I'd bump the rating up), but at the same time, the sparseness of the narrative let's you come to your own conclusions, which is cool Even then however, it still would have been nice to get details about certain things. I can easily overlook some of the shortcomings though, especially when, as I've said, most of the film is just one long, epic chase scene filled to the brim with tons of stunts, action, and not only is all of it done extremely well, it's all done practically too. If you want "adrenaline rush: the movie", this would definitely work. The cars and stunts are awesome, the art direction and costumes are quite stellar, even if, in retrospect, they're are gleefully corny 80s kitsch and more than a little homoerotic. The cinematography is raw, gritty, and really nails the post apocalyptic aesthetic. I'm pretty sure that this film is the one that really set the standard for the post apocalyptic genre. The first film sowed the seeds, but this one is where the full germination happened. I mentioned a few gripes earlier, but another thing that somewhat sullied my enjoyment of this film is the fact that not only did it take me way too long to finally get around to seeing this, but I had a harder time enjoying it as much as I could when I realized that Waterworld is basically a remake of this in a lot of ways, except with water instead of land as the setting. It's not a shot for shot remake, but more than just a couple of things get taken from this one into that one..enough that it would take me more time than I want to spend to list them all. Bottom line: this one easily earns its reputation as being one of the greatest stunt movies of all time, as well as one of the best action films (of the 80s and ever), and the gold standard for the post apocalypse genre. It's overwhelmingly got plot, story, and characters cast off for for everything else, but it's so damn entertaining that you really almost don't care at all. There is at least enough detail to keep the film from being totally pointless, and the ending is quite fitting too. So, what are you waiting for? I've praised this film enough already that to keep doing so is redundant. Go out and see it. NOW!!!!

• Eric S

  
  A brilliant look into the apocalyptic life of Max Rockatansky(Mel Gibson) on the road in his V8 Interceptor fighting off scoundrels with his faithful blue healer at his side. A must see for fans of good action films and undoubtedly one of the very best!

• Anthony L

  
  One of the few examples of when a sequel is better than the first. Mad Max 2 is the ultimate post-apocalyptic/Exploitation/Ozploitation film. It's got everything you could ever desire from the genres and so much more, I'm probably the last person to have seen it but… More
  One of the few examples of when a sequel is better than the first. Mad Max 2 is the ultimate post-apocalyptic/Exploitation/Ozploitation film. It's got everything you could ever desire from the genres and so much more, I'm probably the last person to have seen it but it's ranked as one of my favourite films of all time now - my kind of film!

• Thomas B

  
  Some great set-pieces and good performances with an Aliens style follow up to its predecessor. Full review later.

• AJ V

  
  I saw this a long time ago, and I didn't realize it was the sequel to Mad Max, I thought this was the first one, so I didn't understand it. After I see the first one, I'll re-write this review.

• Jeff "

  
  Sequel to the highly successful Mad Max film, this and it's predecessor launched actor Mel Gibson into superstardom. The Road Warrior is amind blowing sequel, and is quite possibly one of the best sequels ever made. Lots of action is provided as a group of savage bandits. George… More
  Sequel to the highly successful Mad Max film, this and it's predecessor launched actor Mel Gibson into superstardom. The Road Warrior is amind blowing sequel, and is quite possibly one of the best sequels ever made. Lots of action is provided as a group of savage bandits. George Miller pulls out all his tricks to create one mean, thrilling action packed sequel that has some of the best action sequences ever filmed. The Road Warrior is one amazing film, a lot of fun with plenty off good acting. This film is also bizarre cinema at it's finest. The Road Warrior setting is a post apocalyptic landscape where gasoline is the the currency, and salvaging what you can to survive. The Road Warrior is an impressive film in scope, and the villains here are some of the most memorable villains to grace a film series. The Road Warrior is an adrenaline fueled an under George Miller's direction, he delivers something unique, intense and jaw dropping. I loved the first one, but The Road Warrior blew it out of the water. Very much like what The Dark Knight did with Batman Begins. The Road Warrior ranks up there as one of the best car chase film, as the ones delivered here are quite possibly the best that I have ever seen. The Road Warrior will definitely appeal to every action junkie out there. Geoirge Miller has crafted a masterpiece with The Road Warrior, and its a classic of the genre. What makes this film so great is the fact that they were able to pull out something great with a bare bones, striipped down plot. The results are very impressive, and the film is purely and simply a masterful action film. A definite must watch.

• Conner R

  
  The Road Warrior takes the proposed future in Mad Max even further, a full on gas apocalypse. In many ways it is the greatest sequel of all time because it really takes everything from the first movie and builds upon it. The landscape is even more baron and effective, the visuals are… More
  The Road Warrior takes the proposed future in Mad Max even further, a full on gas apocalypse. In many ways it is the greatest sequel of all time because it really takes everything from the first movie and builds upon it. The landscape is even more baron and effective, the visuals are even more impressive and the characters are even more bizarre and twisted. Perhaps the most improved factor is the action. The sequences in this movie are nothing short of incredible, all 100% realistic and glorious. Mel Gibson only got better and more comfortable with his role, Max becomes an iconic role. He becomes the definition of an anti-hero, much like Snake Plissken or The Man With No Name. There is nothing left for him to fight for except himself, all that he loved is gone. The only thing he has left is his beautiful V8 Interceptor and sawed off shotgun. This movie also delivers on freaks, the villains are just incredibly cool and outrageous. No one should ever forget Lord Humungus and Wez the mohawk biker. George Miller did what few directors have the ability to do, make a sci-fi/action movie without flaws.

• Randy T

  
  Remember when sequels were hip and Mel Gibson was cool?

• Chris G

  
  In my review of this films predecessor I called it an apocalyptic western that follows the course of a reluctant law man who is forced back into his profession of killing for the honor of others. You can call Mad Max the Gary Cooper of the series. The Road Warrior is the Clint… More
  In my review of this films predecessor I called it an apocalyptic western that follows the course of a reluctant law man who is forced back into his profession of killing for the honor of others. You can call Mad Max the Gary Cooper of the series. The Road Warrior is the Clint Eastwood. A mysterious stranger that rolls into town for his own gain, yet winds up helping the locals against the tyranny of a menacing force. Think A Fistful of Dollars. After a little explanation on why in the hell this guy is driving around the desert in a mid '70's Ford Falcon the film opens with a chase. This is no Smokey and the Bandit chase unless Buford T. Justice is sporting a mohawk and assless chaps. Max (Mel Gibson) disposes of his foes in his usual style and proceeds through the wasteland he wanders since the death of his family. He eventually stumbles on an oil and gas refinery that is being terrorized by a group of marauders led by a muscle bound freak in a hockey mask (this was pre-Friday the 13th Part 3 by the way). They want the "juice". The people inside want to keep it. Max devises a plan where they can move their gas while filling up his tanks. You just know that means massive crashes and extraordinary deaths. This is Mad Max we're talking about. Grittier than the first film, The Road Warrior is a fast paced, high octane monster that comes roaring out at you from its first moments until the massive climax at the end. As I said before, the story is old and basic, but the visuals and especially the stunt work and driving move this beyond the many B westerns that used the same plot devices. Even after multiple viewings this is still an amazing film to watch just for the pure excitement of it. Perfectly executed by director George Miller, some may be turned off by the S&M wardrobe and lack of dialogue from the lead. It doesn't matter. The Road Warrior is a fire breathing monster that will keep you on the edge of your seat with a nice script, beautiful direction, and some of the greatest car chase sequences ever put to film.

• Tony G

  
  "Mad Max" sequel is almost a non-stop car chase. Additional budget increases quality of stunts but doesn't turn down the volume on campy acting and costuming. Yet it all works.

• Daniel M

  
  Making a sequel that's as good as the original is tough, especially when that original happens to be Mad Max. George Miller's electrifying punk western was a huge hit outside of America, giving audiences a thrill ride fuel-injected with warnings about humanity descending… More
  Making a sequel that's as good as the original is tough, especially when that original happens to be Mad Max. George Miller's electrifying punk western was a huge hit outside of America, giving audiences a thrill ride fuel-injected with warnings about humanity descending into chaos. With a larger budget and big expectations, you'd be forgiven for being a little nervous about Mad Max 2. Fortunately you needn't have worried, since Miller serves up a feast of a sequel, departing heavily from the conventions of the first film to create a fascinating blend of action and philosophy. Mad Max 2 (re-titled The Road Warrior in the US) is a very different film from the first instalment. Where Mad Max was an all-guns-blazing action horror, Mad Max 2 is more thoughtful and considered. And while the first film began with a car chase, here we begin with a narrated section which fleshes out the nature of the apocalypse and how Max's story fits into all this. At first glance this is a shame, since one of the great thrills about Mad Max was that very little about the culture was explained; the huge engines roared into view and we simply went with it, being dragged head first into the story. But once you stop being annoyed by the presence of back-story and start to listen to the narration, you begin to get the idea of what we are dealing with. The narration talks about a futuristic war between "two great warrior tribes" in a time when the world was "powered by the black fuel" -- all set against black-and-white stock footage from what resembles the two World Wars. This sequence is clever for two reasons. Firstly, it consolidates and extends the thesis of the first film, giving us continuity of theme as well as plot. It takes the idea that man will turn to violence when resources are scarce, and uses footage of the wars to suggest that this is innate and unavoidable rather than historically specific to the future. Miller is clearly warning audiences that history will repeat itself in a more drastic form if we are not able to control our more primitive sides. Secondly, the opening sequence sets the tone for the film. It gets the gear change over with so that we don't sit there disappointed waiting for the action to happen (which it does, as soon as the narrator stops talking). The sequence is a message that things have changed, and in order to understand this new world, we will have to change with it; we have had our action with a little substance, now we have to think a little harder. The character of Max has changed as well, moving closer towards that of Charles Bronson; the character doesn't talk as much anymore, but he retains a presence which drowns out all the words of the Humungous. Because it is more thought-provoking and -- dare I say it -- quieter than the original, Mad Max 2 does not seem so striking on an aesthetic level. There are several scenes which seem inspired by better known films, though not necessarily in a bad way. Certain moments in the oil refinery at night remind you of the ice base scenes from The Empire Strikes Back, especially in the similar designs of the clothes and guns. There are also hints in both the score and the visuals of Sorcerer, William Friedkin's remake of The Wages of Fear. Underneath his more conventional pieces, Brian May scores a deep rumble to echo the sound of the engines; and as Max crawls away from the burning wreck of his car, his perspective jump cuts in a way similar to Roy Scheider in the rocky maze. The closest comparison, however, is with Raiders of the Lost Ark, since both boast an elaborate and thrilling truck chase. Given the choice, however, Mad Max 2 wins the day over Stephen Spielberg's historical romp, because its action sequences feel like more than matinee idol fun. Spielberg specifically designed Raiders to be a B-movie pastiche with pantomime villains, so that we aren't worried about how many Nazis Harrison Ford runs over. Here, everything and everyone is at stake, with Miller making us care about Max and his allies while also giving the villains personality. The action sequences feel like a continuation of the story rather than set-pieces to which the story was leading; they carry the tension and the themes of the dialogue very well, something which is often underappreciated. Central to Mad Max 2 is a debate about the survival of humanity. If humanity is to survive, what form will it take -- both in terms of how it will be organised and how it will be defined? The characters are divided into three groups and represent the three options for the future. The Humungous and his cohorts are brutal and animalistic; the Humungous is a fascist leader who commands obedience through a mixture of hypnotic eloquence and ruthless force. However, the ramshackle and impulsive nature of his men indicates that his rule is not as infallible as might appear. The humans at the oil refinery are the upholders of justice and democracy, as shown by their emphasis on "contracts" and their leader calling Max "an honourable man". They are civilised and organised, but lack the ruthless edge which has consumed the Humungous -- they lack the capability to fight beyond self-defence. This is where the third group comes in, embodied by Max and the Gyro Captain. Both begin the film as outsiders, loners with the same singular desire for fuel. Max is dressed in the same leather the bikers wear, showing he could easily tip over into darkness. But like the Gyro Captain, Max is eventually able to overcome his grief and regain his humanity. These characters are the balancing act between animal and man, and both are eventually idolised by the survivors. As in the first film, Mel Gibson's performance is brilliant. The opening shot of him at the wheel behind that giant supercharger is one of the coolest entrances in 1980s cinema, and throughout the film he sustains a burning intensity which makes us fear the character even as we grow to accept him. Bruce Spence is a good match for him as the Gyro Captain, resisting the urge to just play wacky and becoming memorable, even if we doubt his ability to survive all those crashes. Of the villains, the most memorable performances are Vernon Wells as Wez and Max Phipps as the calamitous Toadie. He plays him like a jokey version of Ron Lacey's Gestapo officer in Raiders, and the scene of his fingers being cut off is something of a nod to that character. Mad Max 2 is every bit as brilliant as the original, combining frenetic action sequences with a basic but meaty storyline and a whole lot of subtext on which to chew. It does a really great job of fleshing out both the nature of the apocalypse and the character of Max without seeming slow or clunky, and when judged purely as a spectacle it is gripping and riveting. In place of overt horror, it offers up the same brooding sense of dread at the heart of all great westerns, and its ending is suitably open-ended and suspenseful. Above all, it is proof that the best action movies don't have to be all fluff and explosions; when done this well, they can tackle politics and human nature as well as anything drama. A true classic which deserves your full attention.

• Jens S

  
  The second round of Max on wheels in post-nuclear Australia. The movie almost feels like a 90 minutes car chase, which it basically is anyway. Sure there isn't much of a plot, characters or dialogues, but it is one hell of a ride, with little hints of humor thrown in at the most… More
  The second round of Max on wheels in post-nuclear Australia. The movie almost feels like a 90 minutes car chase, which it basically is anyway. Sure there isn't much of a plot, characters or dialogues, but it is one hell of a ride, with little hints of humor thrown in at the most unexpected moments. The 30 minutes showdown with its mean little twist is one of the coolest car action scenes ever.

• Tim S

  
  Not quite as brilliant as the original, but still badass nonetheless.

• Greg S

  
  In this post-apocalyptic sequel to MAD MAX, drifter and gasoline scavenger Max (Mel Gibson) reluctantly helps a village ship a load of petroleum across a wasteland ruled by a brutal gang of motorcycle punks. The unique, jury-rigged look of this universe is remarkable, the chase… More
  In this post-apocalyptic sequel to MAD MAX, drifter and gasoline scavenger Max (Mel Gibson) reluctantly helps a village ship a load of petroleum across a wasteland ruled by a brutal gang of motorcycle punks. The unique, jury-rigged look of this universe is remarkable, the chase sequences are unique and among the most thrilling ever filmed, and Max drives an armored eighteen-wheeler through any plot holes so fast you hardly notice them.

• xGary X

  
  Mad Max 2 is one of that rarest of breeds; a sequel that actually surpasses the original. Like Desperado and Evil Dead 2, it is a big budget reinvention of the previous film rather than a true sequel per se. Mad Max was a powerful if flawed film that never quite lived up to the… More
  Mad Max 2 is one of that rarest of breeds; a sequel that actually surpasses the original. Like Desperado and Evil Dead 2, it is a big budget reinvention of the previous film rather than a true sequel per se. Mad Max was a powerful if flawed film that never quite lived up to the promise of its explosive action sequences. Once again, the film opens with an exhilarating hi-octane chase as Gibson's post apocalyptic man with no name stumbles upon an oasis of civilization under siege from a group of road predators. The film almost resembles a zombie film, except in this future where gasoline and ammunition are worth more than human life, the human race are being preyed upon not by undead monsters, but other human beings. The Australian outback makes a beautiful but believably desolate future wasteland and Gibson revisiting the part that made him a star has never equalled the grit and charisma of his performance here. The peripheral characters don't get much of a look in and the dialogue is suitably minimal, setting the stage for the true star of the show; the action. The brilliant production design which creates a similarly believable patchwork of scavenged technology became the blueprint for post apocalyptic science fiction; every sci fi film that followed copied it. The fantastic stunt and road level camera work makes for some visceral chase sequences in which vehicles and their occupants are smashed, crushed and sent pirouetting through the air with a sense of real time physics; there are no glossy Hollywood style slow motion pyrotechnics here; just an orgy of automotive destruction! A worthy addition to the tradition of Yojimbo and A Fist Full Of Dollars with a science fiction spin.

• Phil H

  
  The best Mad Max. The baddies are a real collection of leather clad loonies, love wells and the chief baddie. The look is cheap but it works very well, the final gas tanker highway chase is awesome and really shows some great punch ups and violence. The desert look really makes it… More
  The best Mad Max. The baddies are a real collection of leather clad loonies, love wells and the chief baddie. The look is cheap but it works very well, the final gas tanker highway chase is awesome and really shows some great punch ups and violence. The desert look really makes it seem bleak and like Star Wars' Tatooine it looks realistic. The ending is good and not the usual happy style, the whole film is very cruel, quite dark and excellently well made.

• Pierluigi P

  
  A real blast of a sequel, less violent but a lot more spectacular. <br/>Dashiell Hammett's Red Harvest is done again, as Kurosawa did in Yojimbo, Leone in Per un pugno di dollari, and the Coens in Miller's Crossing. That means, once again a stranger has interfered with… More
  A real blast of a sequel, less violent but a lot more spectacular. <br/>Dashiell Hammett's Red Harvest is done again, as Kurosawa did in Yojimbo, Leone in Per un pugno di dollari, and the Coens in Miller's Crossing. That means, once again a stranger has interfered with two rebellious factions fighting for the power. The mysterious road warrior arrives in the dusty australian landscape to turn the battle into an exhilarating apocalyptic stampede, meeting new allies and enemies, each one freakier than the next.

• El Hombre I

  
  The Road Warrior is a film stripped of its' barest essentials to concentrate almost entirely on its action. Director George Miller and Gibson created the character of Max in 1979's Mad Max, a film that gained an instant cult following. That film wasn't too popular at… More
  The Road Warrior is a film stripped of its' barest essentials to concentrate almost entirely on its action. Director George Miller and Gibson created the character of Max in 1979's Mad Max, a film that gained an instant cult following. That film wasn't too popular at first in the U.S., hence the name change of the sequel to The Road Warrior instead of the original title Mad Max II. Here we get the best of both worlds; The Western - with the lone horseman wandering into town to the inevitable showdown with the bad guy on a dusty road. The Eastern - with a ronin wandering the countryside trying to find peace in solitude instead finds a small village threatened by bandits, and is only interested in helping for self-preservation. The costume and production designs are bizarre but brilliant. Humungus and his gang are the kinkiest bunch of psycho nomads you'll ever meet, clad in chainmail, leather harnesses and shiny helmets, they look like they've strayed off the set of William Friedkin's Cruising. The good guys meanwhile sport Middle East-meets-Dynasty robes and shoulder pads. Then, of course, there is the action....FANTASTIC. The Road Warrior is about a drifter who sees no need to disrupt his lifestyle. Once he lost his family in the first movie, nothing else mattered. He took to the roads without a destination. That's the big picture for Mad Max. He doesn't wander around in hopes of finding civilization. He wants to stay as far away from people as possible. The wasteland is a large place, and it's easy to get lost there. <a href="http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/?action=view¤t=theroadwarrior.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/theroadwarrior.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

• Tim S

  
  A balls to the wall action flick that starts with a great opening and keeps going, almost relentless with it's action sequences. The story is simple and it's great to remember Mel Gibson for the badass that he was (and probably still could be, but he had to say something… More
  A balls to the wall action flick that starts with a great opening and keeps going, almost relentless with it's action sequences. The story is simple and it's great to remember Mel Gibson for the badass that he was (and probably still could be, but he had to say something about Jewish people...idiot...they sign your checks). I also loved the Feral Kid and his razorblade boomerang.

• Justin Y

  
  <i>The Road Warrior</i> is nothing more than a typical apocalyptic sci-fi action adventure film. It may stick out just a little because this one is made back in 1981.<p>The story is nothing really spectacular besides the fact that it takes place in an apocalyptic… More
  <i>The Road Warrior</i> is nothing more than a typical apocalyptic sci-fi action adventure film. It may stick out just a little because this one is made back in 1981.<p>The story is nothing really spectacular besides the fact that it takes place in an apocalyptic world. Of course the setting doesn't really help because the entire film takes place in a barren desert and small fuel camp. When watching this film you need some background on the world itself and the beginning gives you just that. As a matter of fact, it takes the simple route by using olden day video footage with narration in the background. I guess this works out OK because now you don't have to worry about explaining a lot of things throughout the rest of the flick.</p><p>While this film does have its share of action it still does have some slow parts in between, which is a little boring at times. It doesn't help that Mel Gibson only has about 20 lines of dialogue in the entire film.</p><p>For its time the stunt work is good and so are the car chases. In fact, most of the action deals with vehicles. The last 15 minutes are the best of the movie and what do you know? It is a good car chase. A lot of vehicles and some good background music to go along with it.</p><p>The acting is OK at best. Mel Gibson pulls off the tough guy act as he knows how and Bruce Spence does a decent job as the Gyro Captain. The villains are crazy as h*** and the little kid is just freaky.</p><p>Some people will love this film and others may not. I find it decent. I recommend that you have something to drink when you see this because you will get thirsty.

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