Mad Max: Fury Road

Haunted by the death of his wife and daughter, Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy) ambles alone through the barren desert wasteland, battling roving gangs of vile thugs and insanity. He is soon abducted by the minions of Immortan Joe, a totalitarian ruler who reigns cruelly over his pathetic people, and held captive in his canyon fortress where is blood is used as fuel for anemic soldiers. When a female warlord (Charlize Theron) escapes in a diesel tanker with five of the King’s wives, Max is strapped to the handlebars of his parasite’s (Nicholas Hoult) bike, one of scores of vehicles in hot pursuit. George Miller’s long gestating sequel to his Mad Max trilogy is most akin to TheRoad Warrior, the second entry: a high octane, heart pumping, imaginative, disorienting two hour chase movie with only the briefest of pauses for air. Miller remains faithful to his vision and it was nice to see a continuation of the saga rather than a reboot, although a Mel cameo would have been welcomed and deserved. Hardy is in Bane mode once more, but is effective nonetheless and Theron and Hoult are strong in secondary roles.

*** 1/2 out of ****

Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome

Back once more in the desolate, post-nuclear Australian wasteland, Max Rockatansky (Mel Gibson) finds himself pitted against the regent (Tina Turner) of a desert community and forced into a death match in an unforgiving cage against an imposing two person amalgam. Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome is a silly, far out sequel which is not quite as much fun as its hypercharged predecessors (many would disagree with me), but is still highly imaginative featuring its patented, top of the line stuntwork and damned impressive chase sequences. Gibson is solid once more and Turner is a lot of fun in her over-the-top role.
** 1/2 out of ****

Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior

Following the death of his family and his barbaric turn, Max (Mel Gibson) wanders the bleak, even more desolate Outback. With petroleum being the most valuable commodity, he plots to steal a tanker from a colony he visits but instead decides to join them in their struggle against a plundering gang of baddies. "Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior" is not as great as the original  (which is a minority opinion) not so much because its incredibly dumb plot, but more so because the viewer isn't emotionally invested in Max's plight. That being said, its silly plot is really an excuse for some outlandish stunt work and the film contains some knockout, nail biting sequences, particularly the finale which I'm still puzzled why I haven't seen it appear on any lists of great all-time chase scenes.
*** out of ****

Mad Max

In a forsaken, post-apocalyptic Australia, chaos reigns in the form of vile biker gangs who pillage and plunder the vapid wasteland. When a policeman's wife and infant child are brutally murdered, the officer (Mel Gibson) turns instantly cold and swears unyielding revenge on the Toecutter (Hugh Keays-Byrne, repulsively terrifying) and the rest of his loathsome cohorts. George Miller's "Mad Max" is a kinetic Outback western that made Gibson a star and features some of the most brilliant stunt work and chase sequences ever committed to film. The pulse pounding score by Brian May (not of Queen, as I initially assumed) is also a particular standout.
*** 1/2 out of ****