Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior

I prefer minimalism and anguish of the original over the overdone and loud action in the sequel. Though George Miller defines the post-apocalyptic genre in its essence and thus opens the doors for dozens of successors, it only answers the question for me of why I don't look for adventure in similar places. (23/05/2015)

Unlike the first film, the director "bothered" to outline at least a little bit of the vision of the post-apocalyptic world. It's nothing groundbreaking, and a rough cut of war scenes from documentaries is the easiest way to go. The script is also certainly not groundbreaking, and thus the pile of clichés may not be to the taste of the contemporary viewer and even the more tolerant individuals will struggle to swallow the overly theatrical dialogue. Fortunately, all of this is balanced by completely unique action sequences, which are unthinkable to film nowadays because some of the special effects numbers would make Hollywood insurance people throw a fit. Cinematographer Dean Semler excellently shot a vast desert wasteland and dusty trajectories trailing behind the cars are literally pouring from the screen onto the audience. Mel Gibson stepped up in the lead role and the soundtrack isn't quite as annoying. The cheesy B-movie aspects have shifted to a crazy romp (the costumes were stolen by the filmmakers from an S&M parlor!), yet it has no dead spots from first to last minute and watching it is actually perverse fun. (21/05/2006)

A breathtaking post-apocalyptic action flick during which you feel the ubiquitous dust in your own mouth. Perfectly chosen locations, a dynamic plot with a powerful atmosphere, unique action scenes with cars. The Road Warrior is even better than the very good first Mad Max. What I wouldn’t give to see it on the big screen! (15/06/2004)

The Road Warrior is a film I have seen many times and still enjoy. An action-packed post-apocalyptic blast and one of the top 5 action films of my childhood up there with RoboCop, Terminator, Alien, and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Among other things, the film contains great costumes and technology, but above all, it manages to draw me into the plot and doesn’t let go for a second. (24/06/2016)

Desert, cars, trucks, petrol, blokes dressed badass… all things I don’t like, but I still I expected some decent entertainment from the cult Mad Max, a film that set the slightly clichéd template for pretty much every post-apocalyptic film. I didn’t get it, unfortunately. I acknowledge it as a strong source of inspiration, but otherwise, it’s weak, very weak. (18/07/2011)