Mad Max 2 (also known as The Mad Warrior in the U.S.) is a 1981 post-apocalyptic action film. Directed by George Miller, this sequel to Miller's 1979 film Mad Max, Mad Max 2 was a worldwide box office hit that launched the lead actor Mel Gibson's career. The film eventually became a cult classic, with fan clubs and activities still occurring decades after its release. The film was followed by Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome in 1985. Noteworthy elements of the film include cinematographer Dean Semler's widescreen photography of Australia's vast desert landscapes; the sparing use of dialogue throughout the film, which is almost non-existent during the opening and closing scenes; costume designer Norma Moriceau's punk mohawked, leather bondage gear-clad bikers; and its fast-paced, tightly-edited, and violent battle and chase scenes. The film's post-apocalyptic, punk, comic-book-like style influenced many other films and popularized the post-apocalyptic genre in fiction writing.