The 1979 release of Mad Max brought with it a whole new genre of film, and it skyrocketed both Mel Gibson and George Miller to the top of the food chain at the turn of the decade. They knew they had to up the ante in the sequel, everything had to be bigger, more full of anarchy, and with some of the most intense action sequences that they could create. This is how Mad Max 2, more commonly known as The Road Warrior came to be, a film so incredibly action-packed that you simply cannot go wrong in watching it.
How to Download Mad Max 2
You can download the film from a digital store. You can also stream it. Click on the Download button at the end of this review and make your choice. Check out also the more recent Mad Max film – Mad Max: Fury Road (2015).
The Movie Review
Presumably, The Road Warrior takes place many years after the original film’s ending. Max has grown stoic, and somewhat mad as the title mentions, he has lost his wife and family, and the third global war has destroyed the planet, turning it into a wasteland.
The only currency here is gasoline, and the lack of gasoline has become a problem for people. We follow Max on his search for petroleum, with his only goal being going forward. However, on his travels, he encounters a gyro-pilot, who informs him of a group that is manufacturing fuel. It appears that a sizable gang is circling the manufacturing compound, their leader Humungus and his gang of lunatics are becoming a problem for the people. Max strikes a deal with the people of this compound, he will go on a quest for them, in exchange for as much fuel as he can carry.
Due to Mel Gibson’s outstanding lead performance as the titular Mad Max, and of course the unmatched car chase sequences, The Road Warrior continues to stand out as the greatest film in the original Mad Max trilogy. The film opens with a stirring narration, telling us what happened that resulted in the fall of the government. The next event is a quick and thrilling car chase, and it’s exciting to say the least.
Of course, the film slows down a bit to set up the final act, which is some of the most fast-paced final 45 minutes I’ve seen in an 80s film. In particular, the last chase sequence is a masterclass in action choreography and design. George Miller, the director, devised one of the smartest and most thrilling action scenes ever. This sequence features so many incredible acrobatics and on-road destruction that attempting to adequately describe it would be impossible, it’s something you NEED to witness.
Miller’s filmmaking style is unmistakably different from Hollywood in that era. He employs a variety of breathtaking camera angles, some of which are somewhat unsteady, shaky, and mayhem-inducing, they add to the suspense of the action and the rawness of Mad Max.
Looking back on the movie now, it might not have broad appeal to many because of the artistic choices here, as some people may find the strange characters such as the villains, the visceral levels of violence, and the somber atmosphere, combined with very limited dialogue to feel a bit too eccentric or even pretentious for their liking. However, it’s something I really do appreciate, it made the film stand out. George Miller has made a movie that isn’t scared to be unique and out of the Hollywood mold.
The only actor in the cast that is well-known is Max himself, played by Mel Gibson who used to be one of the most sought-after actors in his era. The film shows Max’s change from a stoic, unforgiving roadster to a savior of these people, and Gibson is amazing at keeping up with the character. The rest of the cast is great too, from Bruce Spence as the Gyro Pilot to Virginia Hey as the Warrior Woman, and of course, Vernon Wells and Kjell Nilson as the main villains Wez and Humungus. Not to mention, the soundtrack by Queen’s own Brian May, really gets the blood pumping during some of the more intense chase sequences!
Verdict
In essence, from the introduction to this film to the conclusion, Mad Max 2 is by far one of the most phenomenally crafted pieces of media. It’s an action film that is relentless and power-hungry just like its main villains, and it’s a film that has energy and personality just like its protagonist. Mad Max 2, Road Warrior, or whatever else you want to call it, it’s a masterful feature film in action, that we simply cannot undermine. George Miller, you’ve solidified a monster of a franchise with Mad Max 2!
