If you thought Mel Gibson was crazy wait until you see him kick ass and not give a shit about names in 3 of 4 of the best action movies out of the land down under. Today, for one day only, the Brattle Theatre will be showing the entire MAD MAX anthology that made Gibson a star, instigated the post-apocalyptic S&M look and proved that car crashes are awesomely entertaining when you hate the guy inside. Released way back in 1979, the original MAD MAX introduced us to Max Rockatansky (Mel Gibson), an Australian lawman patrolling the desolate highways in an effort to keep them safe as society begins to crumble due to an energy crisis. But when a motorcycle gang goes after his family, Max takes the gloves off and goes on a path of vengeance. A few years later, Max returns in THE ROAD WARRIOR as a “shell of a man” trying to survive in the Outback following a global nuclear war. Out of precious fuel in an unforgiving wasteland, the misanthropic Max comes across a group of people besieged by raiders intent on capturing their oil refinery. Knowing an opportunity when he sees one, Max agrees to help fight off the raiders, culminating in one of the greatest chase scenes in modern cinema. Next up is Tina Turner’s shoulder pads in BEYOND THUNDERDOME, the third in the series in which Max cuts a deal with the ruthless leader of Bartertown, Aunty Entity (Turner), in exchange for supplies. Too bad he has to fight a huge mastodon of man to the death in a steel cage. Before all is said and done, Max will ultimately have to take on a messianic role by leading a band of oasis dwelling youths toward civilization. Finally, released 20 years later to rave reviews, FURY ROAD, the fourth installment in the series, also brings with it a new Max (Tom Hardy), a female heroine (Charlize Theron), a returning actor (Hugh Keays-Byrne) from the original to play a villain once again and probably the best experience you could have at the movie house this year. In it, Immortan Joe (Keays-Byrne) is an oppressive warlord with beautiful “property”, aka 5 wives. When he discovers that one of his lieutenants, Imperator Furiosa (Theron) has kidnapped them in order to give them a life of freedom, Joe sends his entire army, which includes some of the most impressive art direction in recent memory, chasing after to get his wives back. Standing in their way? You guessed it. Max (Hardy), as usual a man more concerned with his own needs over others who ends up saving the day. But when a movie is as well filmed as this, that formula never gets old. So don your leathers and witness how Aussies are so much more badass driving a car than everybody else.

MAD MAX
1979
dir. George Miller
88 min

MAD MAX 2: THE ROAD WARRIOR
1981
dir. George Miller
94 min

MAD MAX BEYOND THUNDERDOME
1985
dir. George Miller
107 min

MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
2015
dir. George Miller
120 min