Product: Mad Max (1979)
Rating: 3.0
Not quite mad enough yet
In a post-apocalyptic Australia, Max (Mel Gibson) and his fellow officers try to keep order on the highways as nihilistic biker gangs grow ever bolder. We are given the definite impression that the final bastions of civilization are on their last legs as chaos encroaches.This film presents intriguing characters and a suitably bleak scenario. It starts strong, but it loses its energy before the end. Perhaps I was spoiled by seeing the classic action sequel "The Road Warrior" first. When Max goes mad at the end of this first film, director George Miller doesn't set the action sequences up very well or provide much of a payoff. The most exciting set pieces actually come much earlier in the movie. However, his next film will prove that he can be a master of action.