Interceptor

Like many other much-loved action movies that have become staples of late-night TV, Mad Max isn't as good as you remember. Especially if viewed when sober and attentive, rather that just back from the pub.

The version recently shown in the UK on ITV4 uses the original Australian dub of the soundtrack (I think), and it spoils large parts of the film. The music swerves from schmaltzy to bombastic, often drowning out the dialogue which is too low in the mix.

Only half the cast can act, with Hugh Keays-Byrne nearly stealing the film as the Toecutter, while Joanne Samuel (Jessie) and Steve Bisley (Goose) are also very watchable. Mel Gibson works on an early version of his 'handsome crazy guy' routine that would serve him so well in the Lethal Weapon series.

I don't think it's a spoiler to say that the best of the film's many action sequences is over and done with at the beginning. The car and bike stunts are spectacular but oddly scheduled through the movie - the climactic revenge taken by Max seems pretty low-octane compared with what's gone before.

In the end it's a odd mixture: cheap horror-movie crash zooms, white-knuckle stunt work, gentle romantic sequences, homo-erotic leather gear. It put Australian movie making on the map, albeit briefly, and spawned many sequels, even if no-one's quite clear about where or when any of it is set: is this post-WW3, with society struggling to survive? Is it a dystopian near future? Is this just what the Northern Territories are pretty much like already?

Don't think about it too hard. Just enjoy the stunts and the strangeness, ideally after an evening on the beers.

Honestly I have to admit I was left slightly bewildered after watching this film for the first time in many many years.

I didn't really get the post apocalyptic vibe from this film, granted it's incredibly low budget but still it felt more like an outback set film.

I also found some of the musical choices a bit odd. The scenes with Max and his family had this TV movie vibe thanks to the bizarre choice of music. Also the music at times drowning out the dialogue was very off putting.

I did enjoy elements of this film, in particular the set pieces and action parts of this film, despite it being a low budget affair I have to say I was impressed. It's also worth bearing in mind this film was made in the late 1970's so for me that makes the action scenes all that more impressive.

Mad Max is a slightly odd low budget action flick that has a certain charm but is let down by down by questionable editing, musical score and acting.

It was the very rawness and budgetary constraints of this little flick that made it what it was. A new kind of action hero in a new kind of world! Gibson's laughably underpaid (though unavoidably so) contribution cannot be underestimated. He imbued Max with more than the script actually merited. An attitude perhaps that struck a chord with many office-desk (wannabe) vigilantes. After all, Max takes control of his own life - is not cowed by authority. Max is everyman, the one inside us that few get the chance to let loose. He is part Jesus, part Che, part James Dean, all Australian yobbo! But this guy gets the job done - drop Max into Iraq next month and see how far Saddam Hussein gets trying to stock up on sarin!

Raw energy is what MAD MAX was all about! Distilled, tempered and inflamed by the time THE ROAD WARRIOR came around but at this juncture. a man on a mission and with the best tricked-up car since....well, THE CAR ! For those of you incidentally, totally mortified that his glorious black-hearted Interceptor was rendered dead-meat in MAD MAX 2, be comforted by the fact that it DOES in fact reside still in a museum in London (Why there and not Sydney I know not...perhaps for the same reason Australia still is not host to the cricket-ashes urn!) What chance of either's return when Greece can't even get the Elgin Marbles back?

Much has been made (and remembered) of the high-power car chases in this film, held by many in absolute reverence. In fact after the main cops vs The Nightrider work-out in the first few minutes of the flick, its pretty much all downhill in the action stakes - nothing subsequently in MAD MAX (1) comes near this brief sequence. This situation (with a way bigger budget) was inarguably reversed by the time THE ROAD WARRIOR came along. The stunts in THAT film have never been surpassed and remember this was without CGI fx.

MAD MAX has that indefinable 'something" the sequels didn't...perhaps just a raw innovation couldn't be duplicated - rather like ur first kiss. It might not have been the best, but it sure IS fondly remembered.

The film is a drama with action and adventure elements. Unlike later films where the apocalyptic and ultra-violent world is already established, this one is much more "down to earth". There is a standard civilization here, however, there are violent criminals. The film shows experienced police officers facing a sinister motorcycle gang. There are a lot of cool chase scenes here, which are the highlight of the film.

The performances range from simple to some good. Highlight goes to Mel Gibson, who is charismatic and does well in the role.

The villains are detestable, and from the second to the third act we hope that Max can stop everyone in his path. The ending of the film is brutal, fun and remarkable, and certainly inspired a famous series of horror films involving a cutting saw (I think you already know what I'm talking about). If the film had a little more action in the first act, and some more interesting characters besides Mel Gibson and two or three others, I would give it a higher rating. Either way, it's a cool movie.

After not seeing it for about seven years, I just saw it on DVD for the first time. I remembered it as an exciting near-chaos-future adventure with highway cops in muscle cars and one insane biker gang. It's great how it keeps on standing the test of time. High speed and raw power are of every age, past and future. The way the highway action is shot in this movie simply stays exhilarating, putting it in the top ranking of best high-speed-chase movies ever. Seeing the camera follow the highway marker at high speed, along with the sound of a bike- or V8-engine delivers a Mad and chaotic but really cool result. The pace of the movie remains considerably high, without many slow moments.

Some aspects of the movie have (understandably) dated. Obviously the 70's clothing and hair styles. Sometimes the acting is a little over the top, and some characters could come directly from a comic book. And of course the story is not that deep or difficult. It's partly action-thriller, partly science fiction adventure. All weaknesses are covered and compensated by lots of a-moral fun though.

At the heart of this one of a kind look movie, there is a hero character named Max. This speed-demon-cop is at the top of his game on the highway, ruthlessly dealing with maniacs ravaging his jurisdiction. But he is also a happy family man with his wife and son. This duality makes the character human, timeless and very memorable. In some scenes you can clearly see Mel Gibson was only just getting into acting. For a rookie he was doing a good job nonetheless.

Others strengths lie within the scary nature of the biker gang. An extravagant rag-tag band of maniacs, led by the iconic villain The ToeCutter. To this day, their actions remain tough and very disturbing. It will have you staring at the screen dead serious, making Max' battle against them even more gratifying.

There is much to say about this movie, but first and foremost it is a must see. A cult classic still as enjoyable as it was nearly 30 years ago.