MUBI

Mad Max is the quintessential dystopian road movie of all time. Car chases in Vanishing Point have nothing on this guy. A phenomenon in the ’80’s, Mad Max is also notable for launching Mel Gibson into fame, whether that’s a good or bad idea is totally up to you.

The narrative is pretty standard, and follows the basic structure of a western: the law is present, but doesn’t necessarily go out of its way unless the bad guys push them over the edge. Case in point, Max’s friend who is burned alive serves as a catalyst of built up tension for Max, until it culminates with the death of his loved ones. It’s not until this moment that Max really goes over the edge, and we are then treated to a series of vehicle chases through barren lands. Replace vehicles with horses and you’ll see what I mean.

Mad Max is a fun film. I had some preconceptions going into this, but in no time at all they were ran down by screaming interceptors at 100 mph. The dystopian feel is much more subtle than in the sequels, but if you enjoy post-apocalyptic films, then this is where you should start.

Director George Miller’s spirited low-budget Australian action movie has a number of rousing action scenes, but it just isn’t cohesive enough to be the cult classic it should have been. Exciting car chases and crashes – and Mel Gibson creating one of the movies’ greatest heroes – aside, the story is hard to follow, awkwardly paced, and strangely sentimental at times. Miller and Gibson would re-team for the far superior sequel ‘The Road Warrior’.