The Mad Max Trilogy - "Elemental Action"

[Uncle Entity]

This is a thought that crossed my mind many, many years ago. I know, I'm a damn genius!
I've noticed EACH Mad Max installment features action scenes based on one natural element. I know it can sound kinky or weird, and it wasn't done deliberately from Miller's part (I guess), but somehow unconscious played a big role in this.

MAD MAX 1: if you notice, fire is the central theme of the action sequences, and even of the plot itself. Nightrider burns in a big explosion. Goose burns in a fire. Johnny the Boy dies in a big mushroom-like explosion. And Max's character is driven by "young fire": revenge and passion. This is the chapter of damnation (= hell= FIRE).

MAD MAX 2: the central element is earth. All the action sequences are "well-grounded", so to speak. EVEN the only aerial vehicle of the movie (The GyroCopter) crashes on earth, its wings broken forever. The tanker was filled with sand. This is the chapter of redemption, and redemption requires crawling (ironically, Max's crawling like a worm right after the Interceptor blew up).

MAD MAX 3: of course! Air. The opening of the movie is very emblematic IMHO. The Thunderdome sequence is an "aerial" fight, circus-like, where the opponents "float" in the air and try to reach each other. The 747 plane is the symbol of the movie. Flying, as reaching the heaven (your paradise/promised land). Even the Audition (in Aunty's Penthouse) features acrobatics. And, more importantly, the chase scene was very acrobatical, with Max jumping, the characters jumping or hanging from poles and... the final stunt, where Powderbeast (Max's car) almost literally flies. This is the chapter of the ascension. Plus, this movie is lighter than the others, not "heavy" like Mad Max 2.

I'm expecting a FURY ROAD movie being based on water (not Waterworld!). If it's not a reboot.

[MWFV8]

Interesting. Remember the truck in RoadWarrior actually has Earth written on the side. Although I've heard an alternative explanation behind that.

[Uncle Entity]

Interesting. Remember the truck in RoadWarrior actually has Earth written on the side. Although I've heard an alternative explanation behind that.

"The vermin has inherited the Earth."

[MWFV8]

Yeah, but the tractor unit, the bit Max actually takes is the Earth bit. Which is later ripped off and stolen by Wez.

Some say it represents how Max is part of the fight between humanity and inhumanity over the future of the Earth.

But it could also be used to support your own theory.

[Uncle Entity]

That's true. I'm glad you appreciated my post.

[zykotec]

Very interesting and well-proved theory. I've never thought of it that way, but it all adds up. Expecting a lot of creek jumps, drownings or just a battle for water resources in Fury Road to complete the quadrology

[Stef-Man]

Great post, Uncle! Really. Great thinking here Interesting, imaginative and perspicacious.

[Player of Games]

Yeees, thanks for posting mate ! Keep up the good work

[frank]

That was an interesting post and makes the MM films take on an element of paganism which reinforces the view of Max as a symbol of rightness. See below.

[Uncle Entity]

Thank you so much for the astonishing feedback, guys!

ON THE OTHER HAND, we already got the "fourth element" in the trilogy: MAX himself. Like water, he is fast and "fluid". Like water, his spirit changes in tune with the element it is interacting with:

MAD MAX 1 = FIRE = water evaporates. His spirit vanished, indeed. He became a beast driven by revenge, a soulless machine.
MAD MAX 2 = EARTH = water becomes mud. He was strong and "dirty" like mud. But he managed to redeem himself in the end.
MAD MAX 3 = AIR = water is itself or become ice (if air is cold). This is the movie where Max is himself, human, fast, "fluid", ready to change shape.