Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior

I skipped the first episode as a precaution and went straight to the second one, expecting brisk and raw action, and suffocating post-apocalyptic atmosphere. Well, I guess I overestimated it. The beginning was very promising, with a quick explanation of the events that led to the collapse of civilization, and then it was full speed ahead. But right after the first chase there was a big lull that lasted unnaturally long. For a while it was interrupted by the ugly bad guys, but then things calm down again, the initially working atmosphere completely fizzles out and I was really getting bored. Moreover, Mel Gibson, as great an actor as I think he is, only uses two expressions in the whole film, and by the latter I mean his final smirk. The final car chase was spectacular and entertaining, but it ended somehow suddenly, without much of a climax. And that's what the whole film is: it does its job, but I can’t say it adds something more than the bare average, nah! But I can't deny that it’s a source of a lot of inspiration to this day. 65% (14/04/2022)

The model of the revenge film has been exchanged for a story set in a post-apocalyptic world, where oil is the most important thing a person can have, because without it, it will be very difficult to move forward in the barren landscape. The roads here are blocked by various scoundrels, but also by people who simply want to live. One of them is Max, who seeks revenge but has not given up on life. This time, however, he must face more scoundrels and help people defend their oil source. At times, it is absolutely iconic, the boy with the boomerang is perfect, at other times, it is quite ordinary, but it is important to realize that it is still a film that has already aged about 33 years. The environment will constantly make you feel incredibly hopeless. This is definitely a welcome effect. (05/03/2014)

A perfect action sci-fi just how I like them. The prolog is amazing (it beats most that you might see these days), a summary of all the important events in part one along with some glimpses of wars that caused the final ruin of civilization as we know it. Straight afterwards, we are treated to a great car chase with breathtaking stunts. We get to meet Max, who is looking for gas (like everybody else). He’s lucky. There’s a colony nearby with its own oil well. But nothing is for free... (23/06/2006)

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)

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)