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Mel Gibson, Virginia Hey, Syd Heylen, Emil Minty, Kjell Nilsson ... see more see more... , Max Phipps , Vernon Wells , David Slingsby , Steve J. Spears , Bruce Spence , Harold Baigent , Tyler Coppin , Max Fairchild , Annie Jones , William Zappa , Guy Norris , Arkie Whiteley , David Downer , Jimmy Brown , Michael Preston , Mike Preston

Director George Miller's follow-up to his own 1979 hit Mad Max is proof that not all sequels are inferior to their originals. If anything, this brutal sci-fi action film is even more intense and excit... read more read more...ing than its predecessor, although the state of its post-apocalyptic world has only become worse. Several years after the deaths of his wife and child, Max (Mel Gibson) has become an alienated nomad, wandering an Australian outback that has fallen into tribal warfare conducted from scattered armed camps. After a road battle with psychotic villain Wez (Vernon Wells), Max meets up with the odd Gyro Captain (Bruce Spence), who takes him to the camp of a sympathetic group led by Pappagallo (Mike Preston). As Pappagallo's people are camped at a refinery, Max plans to take their oil -- more precious than gold in this world -- but eventually joins them to fight a band of marauders led by the evil Humungus (Kjell Nilsson). The stunning climax features a heart-pounding chase scene involving an oil tanker-truck and a frenzied rush for the coast, with Humungus and his forces in hot pursuit. Nilsson is a scary villain, with huge muscles and a sinister pre-Jason hockey mask, but the stunt work is the key here, and it is more flamboyantly dynamic than ever, edited at breakneck pace and staged with manic fury by Miller and stunt coordinator Max Aspin. Savage and kinetic, Mad Max 2 is a must-see for action buffs. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi

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36 critics

R, 1 hr. 36 min.

Directed by: George Miller

Release Date: December 24, 1981

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DVD Release Date: September 25, 1997

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Stats: 3,490 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (3,490)

  • cosmo313
    March 19, 2012
    cosmo313
    This is easily one of those cases where the sequel is in fact quite superior to the original.

    You don't necessarily have to have seen the first to get this one, as the opening scene fills in some of the gaps, though it wouldn't hurt because that one is a good film, and seeing i... read moret will also help make sense of why Max's outfit looks like it does.

    It's been five years since society collapsed and Max lsot his family and was pushed over the edge. The world has now officially become post apocalyptic, and gasoline is a rare, precious commodity. Max xis just an aimless drifter wandering around the wastelands searching for fragments of a life long gone, which includes a quest for fuel. He happens across a fuel depot guarded by a scraggly band of survivors, and he ends up joining forces with them in an attempt to fend off a violent band of bizarre warriors led by the fearsome Lord Humungus.

    Most of that quest (and indeed a large chunk of the running time) is devoted to a chase sequence wherein Max drives a truck containing a massive fuel tank the survivors had been hording. He drives it for them on their way to a spot 2,00 miles away: a place rumored ot be the last remaining paradise around.

    That's basically it for plot. Throughout the film, and especially during the epic chase, there's a pretty sparse amount of dialogue, and that's actually pretty awesome. There's a lack of strong character development and world building (which, had these been included I'd bump the rating up), but at the same time, the sparseness of the narrative let's you come to your own conclusions, which is cool Even then however, it still would have been nice to get details about certain things.

    I can easily overlook some of the shortcomings though, especially when, as I've said, most of the film is just one long, epic chase scene filled to the brim with tons of stunts, action, and not only is all of it done extremely well, it's all done practically too. If you want "adrenaline rush: the movie", this would definitely work.

    The cars and stunts are awesome, the art direction and costumes are quite stellar, even if, in retrospect, they're are gleefully corny 80s kitsch and more than a little homoerotic. The cinematography is raw, gritty, and really nails the post apocalyptic aesthetic. I'm pretty sure that this film is the one that really set the standard for the post apocalyptic genre. The first film sowed the seeds, but this one is where the full germination happened.

    I mentioned a few gripes earlier, but another thing that somewhat sullied my enjoyment of this film is the fact that not only did it take me way too long to finally get around to seeing this, but I had a harder time enjoying it as much as I could when I realized that Waterworld is basically a remake of this in a lot of ways, except with water instead of land as the setting. It's not a shot for shot remake, but more than just a couple of things get taken from this one into that one..enough that it would take me more time than I want to spend to list them all.

    Bottom line: this one easily earns its reputation as being one of the greatest stunt movies of all time, as well as one of the best action films (of the 80s and ever), and the gold standard for the post apocalypse genre. It's overwhelmingly got plot, story, and characters cast off for for everything else, but it's so damn entertaining that you really almost don't care at all. There is at least enough detail to keep the film from being totally pointless, and the ending is quite fitting too.

    So, what are you waiting for? I've praised this film enough already that to keep doing so is redundant. Go out and see it. NOW!!!!
  • yona71
    January 10, 2012
    yona71
    A brilliant look into the apocalyptic life of Max Rockatansky(Mel Gibson) on the road in his V8 Interceptor fighting off scoundrels with his faithful blue healer at his side. A must see for fans of good action films and undoubtedly one of the very best!
  • SirPant
    August 30, 2011
    SirPant
    One of the few examples of when a sequel is better than the first. Mad Max 2 is the ultimate post-apocalyptic/Exploitation/Ozploitation film. It's got everything you could ever desire from the genres and so much more, I'm probably the last person to have seen it but it's ranked a... read mores one of my favourite films of all time now - my kind of film!
  • TomBowler
    March 17, 2011
    TomBowler
    Some great set-pieces and good performances with an Aliens style follow up to its predecessor. Full review later.
  • ajv2688
    January 11, 2011
    ajv2688
    I saw this a long time ago, and I didn't realize it was the sequel to Mad Max, I thought this was the first one, so I didn't understand it. After I see the first one, I'll re-write this review.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    November 25, 2010
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Sequel to the highly successful Mad Max film, this and it's predecessor launched actor Mel Gibson into superstardom. The Road Warrior is amind blowing sequel, and is quite possibly one of the best sequels ever made. Lots of action is provided as a group of savage bandits. George... read more Miller pulls out all his tricks to create one mean, thrilling action packed sequel that has some of the best action sequences ever filmed. The Road Warrior is one amazing film, a lot of fun with plenty off good acting. This film is also bizarre cinema at it's finest. The Road Warrior setting is a post apocalyptic landscape where gasoline is the the currency, and salvaging what you can to survive. The Road Warrior is an impressive film in scope, and the villains here are some of the most memorable villains to grace a film series. The Road Warrior is an adrenaline fueled an under George Miller's direction, he delivers something unique, intense and jaw dropping. I loved the first one, but The Road Warrior blew it out of the water. Very much like what The Dark Knight did with Batman Begins. The Road Warrior ranks up there as one of the best car chase film, as the ones delivered here are quite possibly the best that I have ever seen. The Road Warrior will definitely appeal to every action junkie out there. Geoirge Miller has crafted a masterpiece with The Road Warrior, and its a classic of the genre. What makes this film so great is the fact that they were able to pull out something great with a bare bones, striipped down plot. The results are very impressive, and the film is purely and simply a masterful action film. A definite must watch.
  • ythelastman89
    November 22, 2010
    ythelastman89
    The Road Warrior takes the proposed future in Mad Max even further, a full on gas apocalypse. In many ways it is the greatest sequel of all time because it really takes everything from the first movie and builds upon it. The landscape is even more baron and effective, the visuals... read more are even more impressive and the characters are even more bizarre and twisted. Perhaps the most improved factor is the action. The sequences in this movie are nothing short of incredible, all 100% realistic and glorious. Mel Gibson only got better and more comfortable with his role, Max becomes an iconic role. He becomes the definition of an anti-hero, much like Snake Plissken or The Man With No Name. There is nothing left for him to fight for except himself, all that he loved is gone. The only thing he has left is his beautiful V8 Interceptor and sawed off shotgun. This movie also delivers on freaks, the villains are just incredibly cool and outrageous. No one should ever forget Lord Humungus and Wez the mohawk biker. George Miller did what few directors have the ability to do, make a sci-fi/action movie without flaws.
  • flixsterman
    September 22, 2010
    flixsterman
    Remember when sequels were hip and Mel Gibson was cool?
  • sononothing
    August 24, 2010
    sononothing
    In my review of this films predecessor I called it an apocalyptic western that follows the course of a reluctant law man who is forced back into his profession of killing for the honor of others. You can call Mad Max the Gary Cooper of the series. The Road Warrior is the Clint Ea... read morestwood. A mysterious stranger that rolls into town for his own gain, yet winds up helping the locals against the tyranny of a menacing force. Think A Fistful of Dollars.



    After a little explanation on why in the hell this guy is driving around the desert in a mid '70's Ford Falcon the film opens with a chase. This is no Smokey and the Bandit chase unless Buford T. Justice is sporting a mohawk and assless chaps. Max (Mel Gibson) disposes of his foes in his usual style and proceeds through the wasteland he wanders since the death of his family. He eventually stumbles on an oil and gas refinery that is being terrorized by a group of marauders led by a muscle bound freak in a hockey mask (this was pre-Friday the 13th Part 3 by the way). They want the "juice". The people inside want to keep it. Max devises a plan where they can move their gas while filling up his tanks. You just know that means massive crashes and extraordinary deaths. This is Mad Max we're talking about.


    Grittier than the first film, The Road Warrior is a fast paced, high octane monster that comes roaring out at you from its first moments until the massive climax at the end. As I said before, the story is old and basic, but the visuals and especially the stunt work and driving move this beyond the many B westerns that used the same plot devices. Even after multiple viewings this is still an amazing film to watch just for the pure excitement of it. Perfectly executed by director George Miller, some may be turned off by the S&M wardrobe and lack of dialogue from the lead. It doesn't matter. The Road Warrior is a fire breathing monster that will keep you on the edge of your seat with a nice script, beautiful direction, and some of the greatest car chase sequences ever put to film.
  • guaybanex
    July 16, 2010
    guaybanex
    "Mad Max" sequel is almost a non-stop car chase. Additional budget increases quality of stunts but doesn't turn down the volume on campy acting and costuming. Yet it all works.

View All Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior Reviews

Critic Reviews

Richard Corliss
August 25, 2008
Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine

Exhilarating entertainment -- and a textbook for sophisticated, popular moviemaking. Full Review

James Berardinelli
June 10, 2008
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

A straightforward action/adventure film, filled to the brim with over-the-top chases and stunts. Full Review

Roger Ebert
May 30, 2007
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

A film of pure action, of kinetic energy organized around the barest possible bones of a plot. Full Review

May 30, 2007
Variety

Director Miller keeps the pic moving with cyclonic force, photography by Dean Semler is first class, editing is supertight, and Brian May's music is stirring. Full Review

Dave Kehr
May 30, 2007
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

For pure rhythm and visual panache, Miller has few real competitors; the climactic chase, with its deft variation of tempo and point of view, is a minor masterpiece. Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

An extravagant film fantasy that looks like a sadomasochistic comic book come to life. Full Review

May 30, 2007
Film4

An all-action movie that delivers all the violence and entertainment you could want. Full Review

Bob McCabe
May 30, 2007
Bob McCabe, Empire Magazine

Gibson is suprisingly uncharismatic, but Miller makes up for it with whizz bang action. Full Review

May 30, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Perhaps needless to say, this is the film that made Mel Gibson an international star. Full Review

John J. Puccio
May 9, 2007
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

Few action flicks move as fast or as relentlessly as The Road Warrior. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Mad Max: Two days ago I saw a vehicle that would haul that tanker. You wanna get outta here? Talk to me.
    • Mad Max: [Max loads his shotgun with a shell found on a dead body]
    • Gyro Captain: How do we know that one's not a dud?
    • Mad Max: [Max aims at the Captain's face] Find out.
    • Mad Max: I'm just here for the gasoline.
    • Gyro Captain: No! It's *my* snake, I trained it, I'm going to eat it! I got a recipe for snake. Delicious. Fricassee of reptile. You are what you eat.
Submit a Fact | View All

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Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior Trivia

  • In what movie is Mel Gibson surrounded by fast cars, fuel and red dirt?  Answer »
  • Which movie has this tagline : " the future, cities will become deserts, roads will become battlefields and the hope of mankind will appear as a stranger. " ?  Answer »
  • who directed mad max 2 the road warrior   Answer »
  • The last lines spoken by Old Rose, in TITANIC, "He exists now only in my memory", are also the last lines in what 1981 film?  Answer »
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