Last summer, Mad Max: Fury Road stormed into theaters and completely wowed audiences and film fans alike. The only action genre film nominated for Best Picture at the 2016 Academy Awards, George Miller put together a stellar action classic alongside stars Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron. We know most people love the film, but what about the original Max, Mel Gibson? Gibson opened up about his thoughts on Fury Road and like most of the world, he thought it was brilliant.
It's visually spectacular. It's crazy, but that's George. He's a scientist, he's the Einstein of the edit and of being able to get the pieces necessary to make a truly compelling in-your-face action sequence.
That's some high praise alright. Finally re-entering the director's chair after a 10-year hiatus, Mel Gibson sat down with Collider to discuss his upcoming film, Hacksaw Ridge, and any future projects he might be lining up. With Mel Gibson back in the saddle, there's no way you can't ask him about the new Mad Max film. Gibson played the original Max in 1979's Mad Max and reprised the role for its sequels Mad Max 2: Road Warrior, and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome -- all of which were directed by George Miller. With Miller very softly rebooting the franchise without him, many have wondered what Gibson thinks of the finished film.
Mad Max: Fury Road has a lot of amazing stunts and spectacle, but it's a film that lives and breathes in the edit. There's so much going on in these action scenes, with so many players, that'd it'd be easy for anyone to lose track of what's going on. Fury Road shines in its ability to guide the viewer without making their head spin through clear and precise cuts and it makes sense that Mel Gibson would notice that; his own movies are similarly easy to follow.
In those early days as an actor, it was only natural that Mel Gibson would pick up a few directing tips from George Miller. Gibson recalls one story to Collider about a time when Gibson didn't understand a weird shot that Miller wanted to get. Miller explained to him how it would work and exactly how it would look after editing it together.
We're still waiting for more news on the next Mad Max film, but in the meantime you can catch Mel Gibson's new film, Hacksaw Ridge. Starring Andrew Garfield, the film follows a conscientious medic who refused to carry a gun in World War II and went on to win the Medal of Honor for his work saving the lives of his fellow soldiers. The film's got some good buzz going for it from early screenings, with an emphasis on the extremely bloody action that encompasses the back half of the film.
Hacksaw Ridge hits theaters in just a few short days on November 4.
