The Road Warrior [Blu-ray] [1981]

This Epic film was named "The Road Warrior" because Americans wouldn't have Understood it being Mad Max 2 since the original film wasn't marketed in the U.S. This is the only film of the Quadrilogy that is not named Mad Max, but I feel that the newest film "Mad Max: Fury Road" thematically follows this film more than any of the others. It takes the style and action of The Road Warrior and Turns it up to Eleven! Although I love all four of the Films almost equally, I think you could still immensely enjoy the Story of Mad Max by Simply Watching the Road Warrior, and Fury Road. As the original Mad Max gives the backstory of why Max is Mad Max, and Beyond the Thunderdome shows Max's Heart and need to help others, even when he wants to walk away. So if you don't want the heart and you just want a badass gas guzzling romp, you could easily keep with the two Road named Films, but true fans will want every moment of Max that they can get.

Many people consider The Road Warrior (or Mad Max 2) to be one of the best action movies of all time. And after watching it, it's not hard to see why. It has exhilarating action, amazing stunt work, and Mel Gibson is iconic as Max. The story revolves around Max, an ex cop with a tragic past, drifting through the post-apocalyptic wasteland that used to be the Australian outback. He finds a small community, with a big supply of gasoline. But in this world, gasoline is essential, and so a group of marauders plan on taking the community's gasoline. Max is the only one that can help them. The whole movie is like a post-apocalyptic western, with sparring dialogue, and archetypal characters, but that's a good thing. It's beautiful, captivating, and thrilling. Also, Lord Humungus is just amazing. I love this movie! If you haven't seen The Road Warrior, buckle up, and watch it!

This Film took America by storm back in 1982 and made people in the USA rush out to find Mad Max on Vhs to see what they missed out on! No Action film has been able to capture the visceral energy that catapulted " The Road Warrior " into the annels of Film History as the greatest Action film. One has to appreciate that these stunts predate CGI and many injuries were incurred during filming the action sequences which have been imitated but never duplicated! The Road Warrior transfer to Blu-Ray is a treat to the eye, with breath-taking clarity and depth which has never been scene in SD copies. I actually saw this film, when it was just released in the cinema and it never looked this good! If by some chance, you have never seen this film and you enjoy action and adventure pick this one up! You will not be disappointed..

One of the best "end of the world/society runs amok" films, the Road Warrior is the sequel to the film Mad Max, made in Australia a few years before. Having lost his wife and child in the original film, Max now wonders aimlessly through the land in search of precious (and rare) fuel. In his travels, he comes across a desert output inhabited by a group of individuals determined to protect their gallons of fuel from a band of murderous motorists lead by a muscle bound mad man who's determined to get their fuel at any cost. What Max does in this situation is the core of the film and I will not spoil it here. Suffice to say, this is one of the best films of its kind. So if you have not already seen it, make a point of doing so.

Taking a trip down memory lane in anticipation for the new Mad Max flick this summer. Road Warrior (aka Mad Max 2) is still a fun and well-mounted film. Considering all the stunts and action were undertaken in the era before digital effects and copious CGI it's especially impressive. The blu-ray itself looks great, there are a few moments that shine brighter than others as far as image clarity is concerned but chalk that up to the film itself. Still, it's probably the best this film has ever and possibly will ever look. Also, this will look better on your collection shelf than that awkwardly shaped tin box that houses the complete Mad Max collection released about a year ago.

Truest of the True MAD MAX. Yes there is the the helicopter pilot. Yes there is the Austrailan juvenile delinquent. Yes a renegade rebellion of Metallica groupies facing off with Billy Idol groupies led by Jason from the movie Friday the 13th. Huge and lengthy stuntman laden chase scene with dirt cheap special affects. But then again it was made in Austraila. Thunderdome is better but technically unbelievable. This one you can swallow the possibility of desperation for fuel. No over acting because of the Aussie accent and only one juvenile in the whole movie.Mel Gibson in a motorcycle cop uniform without the helmet gives a touch of no law but order.

There was a time when post apocalyptic movies weren't synonymous with zombies. This follow up to Mad Max features Mel Gibson's Max as the guardian and defender of a settlement from Barbarians in a bleak future where fuel is scarce. In a way it's like Seven Samurai, only instead of seven ronin there is just one salty former cop protecting the innocent from the vile. On Blu Ray, The Road Warrior looks better than ever and it remains an iconic piece of 1980's cinema. There is a commentary track and an introduction by Leonard Maltin, but it's a shame that there aren't a few more goodies on the disc.

Everyone by now knows the story of Mad Max so this review will only discuss the film's technical merits of this most recent release. The video has been remastered from its initial Blu-ray release but the improvements seem to be slight. However, the audio is now loseless and is a definite improvement over the previous release. The low end bass is now substantial. For the new audio alone, if you own the initial release, a decision will need to be made if that is enough reason to justify another purchase. If you do not own this movie already then by all means go get it.