Mad Max Anthology - 4K Blu-ray Review

[Michael Scott]

Mad Max Anthology



Movie:
4K Video:
Audio:
Extras:
Final Score:


WARNING: THE SCORES ABOVE ARE A COMBINED SCORE FROM ALL FOUR FILMS, THE INDIVIDUAL SCORES ARE CONTAINED BELOW IN THE INDIVIDUAL SECTIONS OF THE REVIEW

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Movie
Warner and Sony have been on a solid binge release complete series in 4K UHD recently. Also, there has been a few issues with extras and presentation for these films, but otherwise I have to say they’ve both done a good job. The big massive Middle Earth boxset that was released the same day as this anthology bears much of the same Warner marks as this one does, and it also suffers the same issue with extras.

Previously only Mad Max and Fury Road have been on 4K UHD before, with the 2nd and 3rd films left to rot on Blu-ray only. Kino Lorber had done a great job with the 4K of the very first film, and given it some nice extras as well. Warner seems to have licensed that same master and re-encoded it for this set, albeit the Kino extras are nowhere to be found. Fury Road is also the same 4K UHD release from 2016, just given a new silkscreen and packaged in this 4 disc release. Road Warrior and Beyond Thunderdome DO get their own individual releases from Warner though, also available in singles outside of this set, and include the old Blu-ray of each film to make a combo set.

Now, with the basics out of the way this is a rather bare bones release by any stretch of the imagination. The new 4K remasters for the first 3 films are VERY much appreciated, and the Atmos tracks are a neat addition as well for the 2nd and 3rd film. HOWEVER, Warner followed the same path as the Middle Earth boxset and left off pretty much all of the extras. Usually the extras on 4K UHD set are relegated to the Blu-ray only, but Warner hasn’t even included the Blu-rays in this set, making it a trim 4 disc 4K UHD set with only The Road Warrior having any real extras on board. I guess they assumed that everyone would have the old Blu-rays by now and there was no need, but still it feels a bit cheap in that regards.

But we really came to see the audio and video for the most, and in that regards fan should be very pleased. The new remasters for the original trilogy is well worth the price of admission and the Atmos tracks, while not revolutionary, do make for a handy treat. It’s just a LITTLE extra deprived.

For individual reviews of each film and their tech specs, you can click on each of the links below to take you to each one.

Mad Max
Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome
Mad Max: Fury Road
Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior




Rated G and PG by the MPAA




Video:

For a break down of the individual film's video scores and in depth analysis, you can just click on the links below to open up the individual 4K film reviews

Mad Max
Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome
Mad Max: Fury Road
Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior





Audio:

For a breakdown of each film's review score in the audio department, as well as in depth analysis you can click at links below for each individual film's review

Mad Max
Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome
Mad Max: Fury Road
Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior








Extras:

Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior
• Road War: The Making of The Road Warrior
• Audio commentary by director George Miller and cinematographer Dean Semler
• Introduction by critic Leonard Maltin

Final Score: ​

The Mad Max Anthology is one of several anthologies that Warner has put out for the series over the last few years, but the only one to include the 4K remasters of the originals. It’s a nice set with good video, good audio, and the only glaring flaw being the MASSIVE lack of extras or swag. It’s a bit barebones and that will annoy some people, but probably please others who are looking for a trim 4K UHD release of the films without having to buy all of the Blu-rays they already own. It is what it is, and it’s a solid enough set, although the extras queen in me really sort of is pouting over the lack of extras.


Technical Specifications:

Starring: Mel Gibson, Bruce Spence, Terry Hayes, Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Tina Turner
Directed by: George Miller
Written by: George Miller, Byron Kennedy, Terry Hayes, James McCausland, Brendan McCarthy, Brian Hannant
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1, 2.39:1 HEVC
Audio: Doby Atmos (various others, look in individual reviews for each film's extra audio tracks)
Subtitles: Various, check each review for each film's extra subtitle tracks
Studio: Warner Brothers
Rated: R/PG-13 (Beyond Thunderdome)
Runtime: 415
Blu-Ray Release Date: November 16th, 2021

Recommendation: Solid Set​