Blu-ray Review Mad Max Trilogy Blu-ray Review (1 Viewer)

[Citizen87645]

Mad Max Trilogy Blu-ray Review

All three of George Miller's Mad Max films are now on Blu-ray thanks to the release of Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome. Concurrent with Warner Brothers' single-disc release of that title is this trilogy collection that includes the 2010 MGM Blu-ray of Mad Max, and the 2007 Warner Brothers Blu-ray of Mad Max 2 AKA The Road Warrior. The studio has also thrown in a sturdy collectible tin to commemorate the high octane road rage films that made Mel Gibson a star, though the packaging probably won't entice anyone but collectors and those buying the films for the first time.

Studio: Warner Brothers

Distributed By: N/A

Video Resolution and Encode: 1080P/AVC

Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1

Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HDMA, Spanish 2.0 DD, French 2.0 DD, Other

Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French, Other

Rating: PG-13, R

Run Time: 1 Hr. 32 Min. / 1 Hr. 35 Min. / 1 Hr. 47 Min.

Package Includes: Blu-ray

Disc Type: BD50 (dual layer)

Region: A

Release Date: 06/04/2013

MSRP: $49.99

The Production Rating: 4/5

With gas prices the way they’ve been for the last decade, Director George Miller's vision of a post-apocalyptic wasteland where people scavenge – if not kill – for fuel doesn't seem like such a leap. First presented in the 1979 film Mad Max, which also introduced the titular, now iconic hero played by Mel Gibson, the overall concept proved a hit in the director’s native country of Australia, but didn’t fare well in the States because of poor distribution. Its familiar, but engaging, story of a man fighting to protect his family against a gang of motorcycle-riding marauders would have no doubt appealed to American audiences, but their introduction to Max and his desolate world would largely come through the film’s sequel, Mad Max 2, otherwise known in the U.S. as The Road Warrior.In Miller’s darker, more adrenaline-fueled followup, Max is wandering the arid wilderness with his only purpose being survival, the loss of his family having made him a “shell of a man.” Though it breezes through Max’s character-defining backstory, the prologue that acquaints viewers to the main character and the anarchic world he lives in helps the sequel feel more fully formed and tonally consistent than its predecessor, which often felt vague and underdeveloped about its political and social environment, which then trickled down to some uneven production design. Though both films could be criticized as thinly plotted excuses for elaborate car chase and stunt sequences, the second film follows a clear mythological archetype – the lone warrior who must regain his humanity in order to defeat a great evil – making it resonant in a way that the first film only achieved in its final moments.The success of The Road Warrior in the U.S. and abroad led to the inevitable, more extravagant third film, the aptly titled and cartoonish Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome. Casting the electrifying Tina Turner as Aunty Entity, the ruthless leader of the desert community of Bartertown, the film is the most commercial in the trilogy, though it also has no shortage of the off kilter characters and straight-up weirdos that populated the other entries. Though less emotionally satisfying than the previous efforts, with a particularly aimless middle section that makes it feel like a whole other movie, Miller’s final contribution to the Mad Max trilogy ultimately proved entertaining enough...given adjusted expectations.

• Mad Max: 4/5
• The Road Warrior: 4.5/5
• Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome: 3.5/5

(Note: The Road Warrior is the original, uncut version of Mad Max 2, as indicated by the film’s title card)

Video Rating: 4/5 3D Rating: NA

In 2010, Matt Hough reviewed the Blu-ray release for Mad Max. In 2007, I reviewed The Road Warrior on HD-DVD. Not having a Blu-ray player at the time, the review of the Blu-ray edition went to then HTF Reviewer Pat Wahlquist.At the time both of us made note of an inconsistent picture that usually looked great and highly detailed in daylight scenes, but became a murky mess in nighttime environments. Though Pat didn’t care to issue numerical ratings, I assigned the video a “3,” considering the problems were most likely inherent to the source elements. Almost six years later, that’s still a pretty fair assessment, though over the years I’ve become even more forgiving of issues that aren’t ultimately related to the transfer. Consequently, I’d now give the video quality a half or even full point more.Mad Max has a similar visual profile, though there’s nothing that ever goes quite as dark as Road Warrior’s notorious gascan scene. The first half of the film in particular has deep blacks, rich color (relative to the film stock and cinematography), and excellent detail in both wides and closeups. At about the halfway point some damage and murkiness show up, along with some fluctuating grain patterns, though in the grand scheme they’re pretty brief. Overall the transfer looks faithful to the condition of the source material, which is all we really ask for in the end.For its debut on Blu-ray, Beyond Thunderdome thankfully follows a similar tack. As the highest budgeted production of the three, it’s clearly the most refined in its cinematography, though it never lacks for grit, and all of it is presented nicely with inky blacks, consistent contrast, and fine detail. Certainly, there are moments when things aren’t quite so good, but they're exceedingly rare and unlikely to draw legitimate complaints from viewers mindful of the film's vintage.

• Mad Max: 3.5/5
• The Road Warrior: 3.5/5
• Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome: 4/5

Audio Rating: 3.5/5

For Mad Max, the center channel dialogue in the 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track is consistently clear and detailed, but the surround mix is a bit problematic with the not-so-subtle film score frequently stepping on the dialogue. Outside of those problems, surround effects – which are mostly directional because of the copious car chase sequences – sound balanced and seamless. LFE is noticeably lacking in a couple critical, explosive sequences, but the track has a decent depth and dynamic range throughout.In my first review of The Road Warior, I complained about the mix as well, where right and left channels didn’t seem well integrated with the center channel, and weren’t mixed for frequently shifting camera angles. There was also the issue of the score overpowering the dialogue, which was otherwise clear and intelligible (outside of the sometimes heavy Australian accents). Revisiting the film, now upgraded from lossy 5.1 Dolby Digital to lossless 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, my impression remains relatively unchanged, the surround effects now sounding more balanced and seamless. As with the first film, LFE is also meager, if present at all, though bass extends to adequate depths, especially with the Interceptor vehicle's rumbling V6 engine.Thunderdome has the most consistent mix of the three films, with crisp dialogue, seamless surround effects, and balanced support for the score that never drowns out voices. LFE is again absent, but low frequencies are present enough to give the audio respectable depth.

• Mad Max: 3/5
• The Road Warrior: 3.5/5
• Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome: 4/5

Special Features Rating: 3/5

With audio commentaries on the first two films, and a decent making-of featurette for Mad Max, the bonus material offers some decent paths behind the scenes. It’s just unfortunate more couldn't be culled for the third film.Mad Max

• Audio Commentary with Jon Dowding (art direction), David Eggby (cinematography), Chris Murray (special effects), and Tim Ridge (Mad Max superfan)
• Mad Max: The Film Phenomenon (25:35, SD): Making-of featurette produced in 2001.
• Theatrical Trailer 1 (1:53, HD)
• Theatrical Trailer 2 (2:09, HD)
• Trailers: Rollerball (2:24, HD), The Terminator (1:57, HD), Species (1:50, HD), Windtalkers (2:20, HD)

The Road Warrior

• Audio Commentary with Director George Miller and Cinematographer Dean Semler
• Introduction by Leonard Maltin (3:37, SD): The well-known TV critic offers a bit of backstory and perspective on the film.
• Theatrical Trailer (2:31, SD)

Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome

• Theatrical Trailer (1:29, SD)

Packaging: The release includes a handsome collectors tin sized to hold a standard three-disc Blu-ray keepcase.

Overall Rating: 4/5

Warner Home Video gathers George Miller's Mad Max films into one collectible, metal-encased package, offering overall solid high definition presentations for each movie, and decent bonus material for at least the first two films. The pre-existing releases of Mad Max and The Road Warrior, however, make this a package chiefly for collectors and/or first time buyers. Everyone else should just seek out the single disc release of Beyond Thunderdome to complete the trilogy.

Reviewed By: Cameron Yee

Support HTF when you buy this title:

 

[SD_Brian]

Thanks for the review. I may pick it up eventually as I don't have any of these movies on BD.

When the release of this box set was announced, I had hoped it would be a special edition release, especially since Mad Max: Fury Road is coming out next year. *Sigh*

 

[Richard V]

I might have to "partially" double dip, seeing as how I already have the first two movies on BD.

 

[Radioman970]

I'd already pre-ordered but have given thought to canceling and waiting for a price drop. Like below $30. I guess I just can't bring myself to do that. Been craving these on blu ray for a long time.

Nice reviews, I know what to expect.

 

[SD_Brian]

I might have to "partially" double dip, seeing as how I already have the first two movies on BD.

They are also releasing Beyond Thunderdome as a standalone.

 

[Dave - A]

Well, I just got a new job so I decided to treat myself to this set... picked it up for $33.49 which isn't too bad. I only had the previous Road Warrior Blu so an uptick in sound there plus the two films that are new to my collection made the purchase worthwhile. And hey, the tin IS kinda nifty (shame we didn't get that gas can package here though).
I know the third film is always the least thought of but I'm looking forward to seeing again since, I think, its original theatrical run!

 

[Radioman970]

I didn't have to double dig any blues with this. I already had all the DVDs of course, but luckily I had just picked up MM on blu at big lots but was able to return after hearing of this set. Lucky lucky on this.

Mine looks as if it will come Monday. Blue Monday, oh I LOVE Blue Monday...

 

[Randal Gist]

Well since Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior is just a re-release of the earlier blu-ray, I can just get Beyond Thunderdome to have the complete set. I was kind of hoping that The Road Warrior might have a remaster--but wasn't holding my breath.

I have been waiting a while for Beyond Thunderdome to be released on blu-ray. I know that many don't like it as well as the first two; but it is my second favorite after The Road Warrior. The tin box is kind of neat, but I don't want to double dip unless there is a real remastering. If I find it cheap enough however . . .

 

[Ruz-El]

I never bought these so I got the set for under $30 by snagging it early when it appeared on amazon.ca. despite that, I'm bummed they didn't re-do the first two films. Surely they can look better then they currently do?

 

[FoxyMulder]

They haven't made much of an effort with the third film, no Tina Turner music video's, no commentary, no deleted scenes or outtakes, just a trailer, poor show.

 

[Radioman970]

Mine arrived today. I like the metal box. It might survive the apocalypse.

I agree, no Tina Turner music video? That's just wrong.