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What’s the Story?

Reviewed by James Malik

In post-apocalyptic Australia, MAD MAX begins with future cop Max Rockatowsky (Mel Gibson) on the hunt for Night Rider (Hugh Keays-Byrne), the leader of an outlaw motorcycle gang. After Night Rider dies in an accidental explosion, fellow gang members terrorize a small town, rob a couple, and then rape a woman. One of the members is caught and jailed, but released because no one is willing to testify. When his partner is killed, Max realizes that he is about to snap ("any longer out on that road and I'm one of them, a terminal psychotic, except that I've got this bronze badge that says that I'm one of the good guys."), quits the force, and takes his family on vacation. The gang runs into his wife (Joanne Samuel) and child, tormenting them and eventually running them over. Max vows revenge.

Is It Any Good?

3

This is the "Special Edition" DVD of Mad Max. Mercifully, the Americanized voiceover that infested the original U.S. theatrical release is gone. Shots of gore are quickly cut away (probably having had more to do with budgetary constraints than craft).

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