Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome Review

MPAA Rating: PG-13
Released: 1985

Many fans of the trilogy revile Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, believing it to be a cash-in attempt that betrayed the essence of its brilliant predecessor. But is the third (and most likely final) film in this series truly a serious let down, or are fans being too hard on it? Read the Featured Presentation, and then you decide...

Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome is the movie Mad Max fans love to hate. It's condemned for being an inferior film that strays from the path the previous two film in the trilogy laid out. Since I only saw it once in the theatres when the movie was released, I recently decided to purchase the DVD and experience the movie once again with an open mind to see if the harsh criticisms levied against the film are fair.

They say that a slick promoter is one who knowingly goes against the grain, since by doing so they stir up controversy and thereby cause people to take notice. So if I called Beyond Thunderdome an absolute masterpiece and proclaimed it to be the best entry of the trilogy I'd surely grab the attention of all the die-hard fans.

Alas, a promoter I am not, and I'd be hard-pressed to defend this film against the two previous entries. Whereas the first two films were nihilistic and dark reflections on society and humanity, Beyond Thunderdome is little more than an action movie. The first two films were violently satisfying films for adults, but somewhere along the line it seems to me the decision was made to create a family-friendly PG-13 film to take advantage of the worldwide popularity of the Mad Max legend. Perhaps it was a savvy business move to create a movie that was accessible for all ages, but it definitely lost its potency and magic along the way.

In a nutshell Max's (Mel Gibson) car is stolen and he tracks the thief to one of the last outposts of humanity – a city named Bartertown. This city has its own ways and rules of law, and Max quickly finds this out when he meets Auntie Entity (Tina Turner), a ruthless leader that governs the town and is plotting the downfall of one of her rivals. If fact Max is recruited to do her dirty work by killing her rival in a gladiatorial blood match within a cage called the Thunderdome.

But as the vicious fight progresses Max has second thoughts about Auntie's plan, so he refuses to honor her request and finish his opponent. Having run afoul the dominatrix, Max is left to die without water in the harsh desert, but before perishing he stumbles across a lost tribe of children who believe him to be their prophesized savior. Ultimately it's up to Max to save the tribe from the dangers of the unforgiving desert as well as Auntie Entity and her followers.

You can't blame Mel Gibson for this movie's failures, for he still plays the character of Max Rockatansky to the hilt. Nor can you really blame the other main stars. Tina Turner doesn't disappoint in her role as Max's main adversary in this film – unlike many of today's wannabe rappers-come-actors, Tina Turner actually possessed the ability to do both.

The supporting cast is a less consistent package, because although the adult actors do a fine job with their performances, most of the child actors leave a lot to be desired. Perhaps it's unfair to judge the performance of a child actor on the same level as an adult, but by the same token many children actors have proven age isn't always a liability when you possess natural talent.

I don't want to give the impression that this film is completely without merit, because glimmers of greatness occasionally do break through. The Thunderdome was a fantastic idea, and although the battles within were neutered down to a PG-13 level, they are frantic and exciting. For me, it's the second half of the film that really falters… the whole "save the children" plot just takes away the violent, anarchist, pessimistic tones that made the first two entries so memorable. Midway through it turns into a popcorn movie, and a poor one at that.

Some have stated that the trilogy was purposely designed this way. Mad Max depicted a cop that loses his faith in man due to the evils of the world. The Road Warrior depicted a faithless man that is barely better than the predators he has slain in the past… a man that barely clings to any form of humanity. And Beyond Thunderdome depicts a man who finds his humanity once again.

Well, I don't have a problem with that theory, but I still maintain using a tribe of lost children that mistook Mad Max as some prophesized savior was lame. You don't have to water down two classic apocalyptic films to depict a man that finds his salvation – you can handle such subject matter with the same respect as you handled his downfall.

Anyhow, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome is not the worst film I've ever seen by any means, nor is it a complete waste of celluloid. Mel Gibson is always pleasing to watch, and there are good ideas presented in this film. Heck, some fans of the series actually love the direction this entry took. Unfortunately, I just wasn't one of them.

Worth a viewing if you're a Mad Max fan, provided you realize it's not going to have the same degree of emotional punch as the previous two movies.

Movie rating: 5 stars

If you enjoyed Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome you may also find the following films to be of interest:

Enjoy the Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome experience in the comfort of your own home with these related products!

 DVD
 Soundtrack
 Poster
Mad Max: Beyond the Thunderdome
Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome
Buy this Poster at AllPosters.com

Other Resources:


Movie Sitemap
Auntie Entity

Lost Children

Max's Journey

Mad Max

Wondering if the Netflix service is all
it's cracked up to be? Read our
detailed review and find out!