Mad Max

The script of this semi-amateur and underfunded brutality is as holey as the Titanic after colliding with an iceberg, with dialogues at the level of pub regulars after fifteen beers, acting performances like at a school assembly, and more clichés than one can possibly think of in the respective genre. However, for those who are satisfied with a glimpse of powerful machines and need to release a bit of adrenaline, they may end up being satisfied in the end. From the perspective of film history, it is only important in that the film marked the beginning of Mel Gibson's career. Overall impression: 25%. (05/06/2007)

The fact that this is a ninety-minute revenge movie with a prologue of over an hour is, unfortunately, the result of the film's directorial unevenness. It is unable to rely on a simple script but rather focuses on the arrangement of chases between a motorcycle gang and the police. There are plenty of them in the film, but their quality is highly inconsistent. Some of the shots with clearly predictable camerawork look a bit rough nowadays. Still, hats off go to the professional drivers and stuntmen who did an excellent job. The cheapness is acknowledged in this film, so we can’t be angry about it and, given its budget, we must simply nod in approval. However, the soundtrack is as annoying as ever. (04/16/2006)

The premise is priceless, but the script, the dramaturgy and the direction of the actors are almost like Uwe Boll's. This film was only made for a few car chases, but I will never cease to be grateful to Miller for it, because without its success, the miraculous genius that is Fury Road could never have been made. 45% (02/12/2018)

Set in a not-quite-yet full-on post-apocalyptic Australia, not-so-mad-yet Max Rockatansky drives his "Interceptor" car, fights punk bikers, and gives rise to one of the most distinctive works of fierce Ozploitation that shoots Mel Gibson into stardom. For some it is perhaps an old low-budget and simple revenge movie, for me, it is a crucial, iconic action movie full of incredible stunts, for which I can always find the time. Compared to the purely post-apocalyptic sequels and remakes, this is a very different movie, and yet, it is still an unforgettable and original movie. (01/18/2019)

A classic with a number of very evocative and raw scenes, which is so beautifully B-movie cheap in places that I can't fault it. The only thing that spoils it for me are the sped-up "action" shots, but actually they belong to it too. Mel Gibson, especially in the finale, gives a great performance and you believe everything about it. When I first saw Mad Max, it was the gritty ending that made me want to see it again and again. However, the second part is much better in every conceivable way. (05/28/2015)