Review of Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985) by Tyler R — 28 Sep 2015
If Mad Max is pure grindhouse and The Road Warrior is pure 1980s action, than Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome is the pure representation of 1980s adventure. This time around, Max loses his car and in order for him to get it back, he must make new friends and enemies.
The film just bleeds 1980s, from the hairstyles down to the inclusion of children being the driving force (Notorious in 80s films). Despite the rating dropping from R to PG-13, the series actually doesn't get hurt by the downgrade, so to speak.
The action is still absurd and over the top and that's what is important. However, this film goes one step further and gives a more fleshed out plot along with the action, which makes for a nice change up.
Acting wise, Gibson certainly settled into the role, and he owns it and newcomer (to the series, anyways) Tina Turner really, really hams it up, but Mad Max has always had larger than life characters.
The world these characters live in is lively and unique, and director George Miller fills every scene with little details to pick apart. Action wise, the film doesn't disappoint, despite the lower rating.
The chase at the end is worth the DVD purchase, alone. My only complaint, and it is minor, is that the film gets a little too preachy in the middle and the end about learning from past mistakes and nuclear war is bad.
Luckily, these are brief scenes, but they annoy while they last. Overall, this was one hell of a trilogy capper.
This review of Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985) was written by Tyler R on 28 Sep 2015.
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome has generally received positive reviews.
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