Mad Max 2 – The Road Warrior
released 1981
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“Mad Max 2 – The Road Warrior” is an Australian, post apocalyptic, sci-fi (yes, sci-fi), action film that was directed by George Miller who also wrote the screenplay with Terry Hayes and Brian Hannat. It was produced by Byron Kennedy and the story was narrated by Harold Baigent. It stars Mr. Braveheart himself Mel Gibson, Bruce Spence, Michael Preston, Max Phipps, Vernon Wells, Kjell Nilsson, Emil Minty, Virginia Hey, William Zappa, Arkie Whiteley, Steve J. Spears, Moira Claux, Syd Heylen, David Downer, David Slingsby and many others. This film had a very good turn-out at the box office but recieved so much criticism because of the violence which was considered excessive for back then but would not be considered so bad today. This is however a good film with a good story.

 Mad Max 2 – The Road Warrior IMDb website

“Mad Max 2 – The Road Warrior” is the story of our World in collapse when society loses all sustainability and people turn savage. The story follows the main character Mad “Max” Rockatansky, played by Mel Gibson, as he wanders the wasteland that has become our World. He is a cynical man, numb from the emotional pain of having lost his family. He really is the shell of what he once was but is also the perfect person to step into the role as the hero of the story. Although some would call him an anti-hero.

The story takes place in the wasteland of a world that has run out of oil. Keep in mind that this is an oil economy we´re talking about, so basically the world is thrust into chaos and gangs seem to run things. This means that food, water, safety and most important of all oil are in short supply where people are killing each other for it. Mad Max is the archetypal lone hero seen in so many westerns.  So when he comes across and oil refinery being defended by people who want to escape from a ruthless motorcycle gang run by their terrifying character known as Humungus, played by Kjell Nilsson, he ends up helping them. The rest of the movie is almost all action. I have to say that this is a very violent film with some scenes I would consider horrific even by today´s standards. I hope we, as a species, don´t ever go down that road and end up with that kind of society because it really is not the place you want to live in. The ending is however unpredictable with a clever twist.

Mel Gibson really did a good job bringing the character of Max to the screen. He was cynical but still had moral fiber in a world gone crazy. The beginning scene of horrific violence shocked him too. This is a good film and its story is also a cautionary tale of where we could end up as a society if we´re not careful. It´s one of the most action packed films I´ve ever seen and I can´t think of a time when I`ve rooted more for a hero in a sci-fi movie because of what is at stake.

“Mad Max 2 – The Road Warrior” is an excellent film for its story, excitment and message. It just isn´t for younger audiences. I highly recommend it.

written by John

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