In a post apocalyptic future gasoline is a commodity and bandit groups run riot. Max (Mel Gibson) is a lone drifter in this hellscape who is asked by a fuel rich settlement to help them escape the attacks of a bandit group led by ‘The Humungus’ (Kjell Nilsson).
Mad Max 2 is how we all know the character of Max and the apocalyptic world that he lives in. Hardened by the events of the first film Max is now the stoic, monosyllabic anti-hero who finds himself begrudgingly looking out for those in need. Whilst the world is a desert where bandits in leather run riot led by cult like leaders.
The film opens with a narrator (Harold Baigent) telling us how the world was destroyed by war and became the wasteland that it is now along with a small recap of the troubles that befell Max in the first film. Just like the first film we then open with an explosive chase sequence where Max is fighting off some marauders at high speed. Later Max will meet ‘The Gyro Captain’ (Bruce Spence) who will show him the settlement filled with gasoline and he will agree to a deal with their leader ‘Pappagallo’ (Michael Preston) whilst bonding with ‘The Feral Kid’ (Emil Minty). From there it is all about the action.
Co-writer and Director George Miller made such vast improvements in this sequel over the original that it feels almost revolutionary. In the two years since the release of the original film and with ten times that film’s budget what he has achieved is revelatory.
The look of the film is fantastic and is exactly what you expect from the wasteland of the Mad Max universe. Max himself is decked out in his leather police outfit complete with a leg brace for the injury he collected in the first film and a dog to complete the loner look. The marauders and villains meanwhile are in a collection of BDSM leather outfits that appear to be informed by their cult of leadership. They strap their prisoners to the front of their vehicles and use old fashioned weapons like crossbows and grappling hooks. Whilst the array of modified cars and vehicles make the vehicular mayhem a delight.
The script also manages to convey a lot with little words. A key example of this is when ‘Pappagallo’ is about to make a rousing speech to his settlement and the film simply cuts away to Max showing ‘The Feral Kid’ a music box and then cuts back when he’s done talking. Whilst the narrated introduction might be exposition heavy it does a far better job at explaining the context of the film than the first film manages.
The only aspect that has only improved slightly is the score. Again in the hands of Brian May who delivered the original film’s score it can still feel overly melodramatic at times whilst still being an improvement on the original.
What caps off the impressive nature of the film is the superb elongated final action sequence where Max attempts to outrun ‘The Humungus’ and his entire crew. The stunt work and sense of danger is again palpable.
As with the original film it was tinkered with for the American audience where it was named simply ‘The Road Warrior’. Whilst all advertising avoided referring to the fact that it was a sequel leaving some audience members to discover this fact in the opening voiceover sequence.
Mad Max 2 is a stunning achievement and has to be in the discussion for the best sequel ever made when you compare it to its predecessor.
If you want to read more of my opinions on Mad Max check these out:
Phil the Bear's Film Reviews 
5 thoughts on “Mad Max 2”