Best & Worst: Mel Gibson

Best: The Road Warrior (1981)

Otherwise known as Mad Max 2 , The Road Warrior was Gibson’s first big hit in the States. Again helmed by writer/ director George Miller, the sequel plays up the western angle as a community of settlers attempt to fight off a band of marauders.

Rather than resting on his laurels, Gibson spies Road Warrior as a chance to add layers to hero Mad Max Rockatansky, while Miller crafts something visually sumptuous. The result is a tightly-paced and violent thrill ride.