Mad Max: the Review

20th December, 2018.

Yes, OK … 

I’m listening to the relatively obscure From A to B, by New Musik, right now.

Possibly the only hit LP New Musik ever had.

Complete with the only actually hit they had, too: Living by Numbers.

Apparently, the song’s writer, Tony Mansfield — New Musik’s lead singer — was a bit of a fan of The Prisoner.

They really don’t want your name … 

~≈§≈~

That possibly beside the point, though.

For one thing?

I’ve been meaning to try my hand at video compositing: as soon as I learnt I could do basic green screen work with iMovie, the basic video editing app on the Mac.

I’ve not managed to get the spare bedsheets, green dye, or curtain pole I’d need.

But have worked out that I can use Keynote to make a quick animated slide, with a black background … 

That I can then manipulate in iMovie to produce … well … things like today’s intro movie.

That ‘What Duck’ bit … ?

Is green screened into the movie file … 

~≈§≈~

I’m still bloody digressing, aren’t I … ?

Yes: I’ve seen a movie.

A day or two, ago, now, Old Peculiar regular, — and New York Times bestselling author — Debbi Mack, happened to ask if The Babadook was better than Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior.

I don’t know what I could say, there.



Except it got me thinking.

That I’d not seen Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior for a while: and should possibly sit down with it, again.

But before I did that?

I should watch the original, Mad Max, first.

Guess what I watched, tonight … 

~≈§≈~

Mad Max opens a few years from now: with Australia teetering on the point of collapse.

A notorious motor-cycle gang member, the Nightrider (Vincent Gil) stealing a police car: only to be chased downed and killed by a patrol group from the Main Force Patrol.

Helped by the group star driver, ‘Mad’ Max Rockatansky (Mel Gibson).

It’s only when word gets out … ?

That Max is targeted by the rest of the gang: a gang lead by the only slightly psychotic Toecutter† (Hugh Keays-Byrne*).

It’s after one run-in — where Toecutter’s gang go wild in a small town, and Max’s partner, Jim the Goose gets on the wrong end of reprisal attacks — that Max is ordered to take time off: to go on holiday.

You’d expect a simple few days at the beach, with wife and child, would be quiet, wouldn’t you … ?

You would … in another world … 

~≈§≈~

Now … good … ?



You know, I’m not sure I say so for sure.

I don’t think Mad Max is stunning: but it is entertaining.

And is competently done by a George Miller — the movie’s director — in what, as far as I know, was a first attempt.

Like I say: Mad Max is good, if not stunning: and built a career for both Miller and Gibson, AND kickstarted a franchise that’s one of the world’s best.

Enjoy it, if you watch it.

Mad Max
★★☆☆

*        Later to appear in Mad Max Fury Road, as Immortan Joe.

†        Urban Dictionary gives us this definition of Toe cutter: which I seem to recall hearing, back in the 70s.