On HD-DVD: The Road Warrior

Directed By George Miller

Starring Mel Gibson

The Road Warrior is one of those films that just pops up when there's a new video format being pushed.  It was of course released on vhs, then when the DVD format was fairly young it came out, and now here it is again on HD-DVD.  There's a reason for that, this film never gets old.

The Movie

A young Mel Gibson plays Max in post apocalyptic Australia.  The events of the first film, Mad Max have taken his humanity.  Don't worry you don't have to see the first film to understand as the highlights of that story are told in flashback.  His wife and child were killed by crazed bikers and while he did get revenge most of his compassion left him with his family.  Things change when he meets a group of survivors working hard to refine enough gas to get them to the coast of Australia to start a new life, where there's water and vegetation to sustain them. 

The only thing standing between them is Humongous (best villain name ever) and his band of biker misfits intent on stripping the camp of all of its gas and anything else they find of value. So, Max eventually makes a deal to drive the tanker full of gas out of the desert and help fight off the crazy bikers.

No, there's not much plot, but there is a social commentary about the human condition in the film that never overtakes the u unadulterated fun of the wild costumes and even wilder car stunts.  The film absolutely still holds up today and the final near 15 minute car chase that closes the film has yet to be beaten on film.  There's no CGI here, everything on screen is absolutely real, so take that overrated Matrix car chase.  At 25 years old this movie is still just as much fun as the day it hit theaters.

8.5/10

The Video

The new hi-def presentation is a mixed bag of "Wow!" and "What the..."  In brighter scenes colors look great and detail is solid but in darker scenes the blacks get bright revealing a layer of grain that crunches the detail.  At the same skin tones look better than they have ever looked in a previous home video version of the film.  Overall this is the best the film has ever played on a television set.  Is it up to par with other classic films we've reviewed?  Well, no, but it's still likely to be as good as it's ever going to look.

6.5/10

The Audio

The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is fairly basic with the surrounds only getting the most minimal use and the score being mixed into the film a bit too heavy causing some balance issues.  The dialogue feels a bit flat and mixed with the heavy accents might make it a little tough to understand in one or two places if you haven't seen the movie before (shame on you).

6/10

Packaging and Bonus Features

The single disc release comes in a standard slim amaray case with artwork taken from previous releases of the film featuring Mel Gibson on the cover as Max.  The image is fairly iconic and sells the film well.

The extras provided for this all new release are disappointing to say the least.  First up is an introduction from a movie critic shot for a special edition of the film released back in 1999.  The intro is short but it does a good job of summing up why the film has become such a classic.  Next is a the theatrical trailer, and finally one brand new extra, a feature commentary with the director and director of photography.  While I really hoped for some featurettes this commentary is quite good with the two providing tons of behind the scenes information on the story, the stunts, and the cast.

One other thing that might be considered an extra is the fact that the original opening credits are placed back on the film with it titled Mad Max 2 rather than The Road Warrior opening that was only ever used here in the States.

6.5/10

The Road Warrior or Mad Max 2, which ever you prefer, is easily one of the greatest action films ever made, a must own for fans of the genre.  The plot won't blow your mind, but the car chases will.

Overall (Not an Average) 8/10

The Movie 8.5/10

The Video 6.5/10

The Audio 6/10

The Packaging and Bonus Features 6.5/10

Overall (Not an Average) 8/10

-Stephen Lackey