Mad Max (1979)

[K1stpierre]

Discuss

[bartonfink]

First movie is my favorite one of the trilogy. Fuckin badass.

[darkelf]

A very good movie with really good action scenes for such a small budget that also has a compelling story and characters.

 

8/10

[mattmav45]

If anything there's no discounting the unique watch this one provides.

 

It likely goes without saying that the strong point here lies in the atmosphere and overall look of the film.  The impressive thing is how the atmosphere is established here.  There is a very minimalist approach on display.  It is refreshing to see a film that understands atmosphere need not be overbearing in nature.  Instead there are ample shots of the open road complemented with the surrounding vegetation here that work to great effect.  It doesn't take very long (or much) for a dystopian landscape to emerge.  Very much a showcase of primal atmosphere on display.

 

Unfortunately the story itself is a bit more hit or miss.  For the most part the story centers around a motorcycle gang that is wreaking havoc on the asphalt.  The gang is used to great effect here.  They are out for revenge after fellow outlaw Nightrider was killed.  As a result they are ruthless but have this tinge of insanity that gives them an extra edge.  This is used to create ample suspense, particularly during the second half of the film.

 

I hate to get a little pun'ed as fuck, but the film kind of stays in neutral when it veers off the road.  The story here is very much driven by the highways and the cars.  The narrative itself took off on the road and very much stalled in absence of said road.  

 

Perhaps the problem here is the tone and mood is never really established outside the highway realm.  There are so many conflicting moods here that one is not able to stand out from the rest.  Another issue is the fact that Max is never developed as a character.  I'm not talking development pertaining to depth, but development that allows us to look at this guy like a proper badass.  The film over-extends itself before the inevitable bloody conclusion.  I can't help but feel its potential is wasted in this respect.

 

It's a good action film that's a few small developments away from being great.

[Water Bottle]

I don't know about anyone but the music was too much. Ruined the experience for me.

 

B-

[RobinHood26]

The music was fucking epic. Straight forward, simple, bad ass. Almost like a horror film.

 

B- (82)

[Goffe]

Really liked it. It has good characters, characters that you care, it's gripping and the "transition of the civilized world to an apocalyptic world" setting is fascinating. It has a very good villain as well.

 

85/100, maybe. 

[jb007]

Loved it. A classic thriller with great action. Good performance fron Mel Gibson who made his arrival at the international scene.

The gang was terrifying.

A

[Joel M]

I think everyone who can sidestep the production values and some glaringly amateurish performances for minor characters will recognize this as the glorious b-movie that it is.

 

8/10