talisencrw Every time cinema has a game-changer (in this case, 'Mad Max' and the entire genre of 'post-apocalyptic dystopia movies'), it's fascinating to watch how various countries and cultures react to the instant knowledge that 'something new is out there that can bring in for us a lot of money'. For this Italian effort, which needed very little in the way of budgeting for either actors, set design or costumes, it's not bad.Director Castellari brings to it an action-packed flow which never flags for a moment. (The 87-year-old Rome native--God bless him--is directing 'Keoma Rises' at the moment, his first film in six years, and it is slated to be released later this year.) I have previously only seen his spaghetti-western 'Keoma', which I adore. He throws in two instances of nice gratuitous sex in a heartened attempt at 'character and plot development', but I really don't have a problem with that, especially with great Italian beauties like he has at his disposal here. There's a bizarre homoerotic undertone, particularly to a scene in which Scorpion is being tortured, but it's not problematic. Fred Williamson is the only star I recognized, and he continues his credo of 'getting the girls and winning the fights', which he stands by in his movies. The electronic score is dated but not bad, though it's inferior to those of, say, either Tangerine Dream or Goblin.All in all, it was a 91-minute span of time I don't regret in the slightest--I even watched it with a plate of spaghetti and glass of red wine at hand to further exemplify the Italian experience.

Scarecrow-88 During the 80's there were two sub-genres breaking out featuring a number of movies influenced by key films, The Road Warrior and Conan the Barbarian. Providing fuel for critics to besmirch them, films inspired substantially(..such as Warriors of the Wasteland, a rip from the Mad Max movies)by these genre staples often had lesser budgets, with more gratuitous elements. Anyone could sit down to watch Warriors of the Wasteland and have plenty reason to criticize it, besides the often unintentionally hilarious dialogue, bizarre costumes for the various groups, wild haircuts, and vehicles modified with junk parts mimicking the characteristics associated with Mad Max movies. While director Enzo G Castellari can not compare with George Miller in regards to the epic scope of The Road Warrior(..few can, in my opinion), he still has a flair in staging action sequences.Giancarlo Prete is Scorpion, man of few words who has cut ties with an intimidating group of homosexual marauders, in ghastly white uniforms, known as The Templars, led by the statuesque One(George Eastman, having to endure blonde streaks in his hair and eye-shadow make-up to make him suitable for his character)and lieutenant Shadow(Ennio Girolami). One is a prophet of hate whose mantra is to spread death and destruction to all he meets. Scorpion and One have a pact not to harm one another, but as the Templars pillage and kill innocent communities across the desert lands left ravaged by the Nuclear Holocaust, they will cross paths multiple times, ultimately headed for a showdown. Joining Scorpion is Nadir(Fred Williamson), an expert with his crossbow(..he uses arrowheads equipped with bombs that explode shortly after impact)who enjoys "the spirit of Victory", and lavishes in the act of combat. Scorpion also finds a love interest in Alma(Anna Kanakis), a target of Shadow, who saves her life from potential harm by the Templars. Giovanni Frezza has perhaps his most lucrative role(..and, for once, isn't saddled with horrible dubbing)of his career as a young mechanic who's quite skilled with a sling shot, saving the lives of both Scorpion and Nadir during the action packed climax. The tin cars driven in the film are equipped with various devices that can stab, hack, and blast victims. Nadir's explosive arrowheads blow apart the bodies of Templars, often taking their heads off. Probably the most notorious scene features Scorpion sodomized by One(..not explicit, but still shocking)as punishment for his sins. Venantino Venantini has a major supporting turn as Father Moses, the religious leader of a community who become entangled with the Templars after helping Alma recover from a damaged shoulder, providing Scorpion and Nadir with a momentary refuge. Claudio Simonetti provides yet another exciting electronic score that adds pop to the action sequences. A running theme has Nadir always rescuing Scorpion from difficult jams where his life is threatened(..Williamson is shackled with burden of remaining cool inside such a hideous costume). The plastic chest/abdomen shield Scorpion wears to protect himself at the end should tickle the funny-bone. The blaster guns resemble those toys that squirt out water. I really dug the silver skull that introduces Scorpion's vehicle to the viewer and several of the cars have drills or spinning blades that cut through victims attempting to flee.

TheCrowing13 At first glance this film looks like a direct rip-off to "Mad Max", well it is but it has potential. It's a straight up action film not meant to be thought about, just accept the unacceptable. There is no depth at all with the story I feel very lost in how this new post-apocalyptic world came to be.Like any other action flick one guy or a small group off them attempt to take out an army of foes after a huge tie/losing street before the climax,just like this movie. The weapons and gadgets of the film are interesting and creative a bit ridiculous but it's whatever. I just wish they spent more time explaining the characters background and what the details of this new Earth after a nuclear holocaust. Again I will say nothing is given we don't even know when it happened. All we know is now and here. None of the laser guns or bulbed cars or exploding arrows are looked at in detail.The real treat of the film though is the action most of the scenes look phony, but are oh-so-entertaining to watch. From faces being burned of, to people being run over, to exploding heads, and decapitation the movie keeps it's variety trying to keep each explosion or shot fired interesting and new. Of course this is failed by over use of the exploding arrows.I'm a musician so music in film is very very important to me. I read about the score for this film being new and interesting, but it's anything but. The electronica and drum beats are repeated so often I thought the DVD was skipping. But if your just looking for an action flick, and willing to put aside story, acting, and other key elements, I suggest this to anyone. 4/10

kap21 This is very stupid. Mad max rip off but in this movie the hero don't have any guts beside trying to. He actually don't fight anyone cause he have a guardian angel. Still the bad guys fears him for some reason. The most funny is when he shows his war-armor in clear plastic .. *G* The little boy is bad ... but have more guts then the hero The cars (bad guys) are very silly so are their uniforms ... very funny when they capture the hero and the bad gang leader want to take him in the ass .. *G* It's so bad but funny ... the acting is very very bad.I liked post apocalyptic (like "she") but this is bad and only if you want to laugh it's worth to see.