Mad Max

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. (2006-04-16)

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. (2019-01-18)

After a long time, I watched this movie only to find out that I probably don't know the first film and if I have seen it before, I don't remember it. It is clear from the beginning that something doesn't fit here. It is the perfection of Max's life. Why should he be crazy when he is happy? It takes quite a while before the expected twist happens. However, I don't think that the creators present us with an uninteresting world. It is definitely an environment that has something to it. Unpleasant, raw, without comfort. It's a shame that the ending is so terribly fast and that it's not a bit rougher. (2014-03-04)

The budget was obviously too low, so the writer probably didn't get paid enough either. The film didn't really impress me with anything. In some low-budget films, the filmmakers can make up for the lack of funding with enthusiasm, which didn't happen in Mad Max. I’m giving it one star because it precedes the great second installment. (2016-06-24)

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. (2015-05-28)