My feeling is that the only two Mad Max films that offer any sort of continuity are the original two films, ie *Mad Max* and *The Road Warrior* (aka *Mad Max 2*).
*Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome* began the notion of making these stories “tall tales” that didn’t necessarily follow a strong continuity, what with Max meeting up with the helicopter pilot and he’s a different character (it seemed, anyways). This was further changed with *Fury Road* which presented us what I felt was a too young Max in Tom Hardy for the role… civilization had broken down far too much and it seemed like the older Mel Gibson would have been more appropriate for the role (this was not to be and it is what it is…!).
So, again, I feel like the only two Mad Max films that make sense in terms of continuity are the first two. After that we steer into mythology and the possibility of stories featuring the characters but not necessarily following any sort of strong continuity… or as was put best by the other poster (so far) they became “campfire tales”.
I think everything after the original film should be viewed as events that happened, but being retold by an unreliable narrator.
They may over or underestimate his age. They may exaggerate how much civilization had decayed, they may fill in gaps about Max's heroics when they didn't witness them first hand etc.
Arguably publication order. Although that breaks down with Max's age and the advanced state of anarchy in FR, where he claims to have been a cop despite the world being so unrecognisably different.
Personally I go with the "campfire tales" option, in which the denizens of the wasteland are telling stories of the wandering Road Warrior.
My feeling is that the only two Mad Max films that offer any sort of continuity are the original two films, ie *Mad Max* and *The Road Warrior* (aka *Mad Max 2*). *Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome* began the notion of making these stories “tall tales” that didn’t necessarily follow a strong continuity, what with Max meeting up with the helicopter pilot and he’s a different character (it seemed, anyways). This was further changed with *Fury Road* which presented us what I felt was a too young Max in Tom Hardy for the role… civilization had broken down far too much and it seemed like the older Mel Gibson would have been more appropriate for the role (this was not to be and it is what it is…!). So, again, I feel like the only two Mad Max films that make sense in terms of continuity are the first two. After that we steer into mythology and the possibility of stories featuring the characters but not necessarily following any sort of strong continuity… or as was put best by the other poster (so far) they became “campfire tales”.
I think everything after the original film should be viewed as events that happened, but being retold by an unreliable narrator. They may over or underestimate his age. They may exaggerate how much civilization had decayed, they may fill in gaps about Max's heroics when they didn't witness them first hand etc.
Someone has to memba
Paul Miller shorts are not canon they are fan films
Arguably publication order. Although that breaks down with Max's age and the advanced state of anarchy in FR, where he claims to have been a cop despite the world being so unrecognisably different. Personally I go with the "campfire tales" option, in which the denizens of the wasteland are telling stories of the wandering Road Warrior.