Reviews: Movies

Mad Max II: The Road Warrior

Directed by George Miller, starring Mel Gibson, Bruce Spence

Max is mad. We know this as he eats dog food. He's also got a heart, because he begrudgingly shares this dog food with his dog. In this second chapter of George Miller's futuristic action trilogy, Australia has progressed from crime-riddled collection of highways to post-apocalyptic crime-riddled collection of highways. World War III has left the baron outback an even more unfriendly place to hang out. Food and even more importantly, gasoline, are in short supply.

So Max (Mel Gibson) spends his time searching for fuel. Unfortunately, so do a sadistic gang and before you can say, "sick 'em Max", our hero is drawn into a fight between the gang and a small band of semi-civilized folk who live in a refinery.

This is a sequel of wry wit, shameless camp appeal and wild existential ambition. It is also a chance for fans of 1980s rock bands to see where their heroes got their style tips, and petrolheads need no further motivation than to drool over Max's car the V8 Interceptor.

Ben Davey

The Witches of Eastwick

Directed by George Miller, starring Jack Nicholson, Cher

Having choreographed a violent bush ballet in what looked like the Devil's own country in Mad Max, director George Miller here films Satan woo three witchy women. OK, it may not be the Satan himself but Jack Nicholson playing the Dark Lord is a worthy substitute. Summoned by three lonely suburban babes (Michelle Pfieffer, Cher and Susan Sarandon) armed with supernatural powers, it's no wonder the Prince of Darkness takes time out of torturing souls down south of heaven.

An adaptation of the novel by John Updike, the best moments are when Nicholson shows us what a naughty boy he can be. Sure, Jack playing a cad is something that audiences have seen before but on this occasion that cheeky glint in his eye brings his screen Satan a charming mischievousness. However, the magical capabilities of the lusty female triumvirate are never really fleshed out and a few of the sequences suffer as a result.

But hey, one shouldn't quibble over such details when you've got a truly inspired comic performance to distract you from the weaker moments. Watch it simply to see Jack roll around suggestively in silk pyjamas.

BD

(China Daily 04/11/2007 page20)