Review of Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985) by Troy F — 12 May 2015

Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome..., well, it checks out at least. The action is nice and the film's setting is expanded even more. At the expense of that, the budget is even bigger now, to the point where the "over-produced" feel that I'd rather avoid feels kind of layered on this film.

The film is tonally different than the last two films, which I wasn't quite prepared for, which is probably why my reaction is as hesitant as it is. It certainly feels a bit toned down as it was the only film in the series given a PG-13, so you don't get that violent edge that made the others as intense.

Beyond Thunderdome instead takes the softer route and mixes in some arc that's reminiscent of the Peter Pan tale with kids and all, and Mad Max being looked up to as a sort of leader. What's sort of neat about this is that it advances his character, and makes him think beyond his own needs, and rather think about helping others and shaping the future.

Still, the film light and kind of silly (hell, Tina Turner is in here cause... I don't know?), which is arguable, like Spielberg directed the scenes that weren't action (I probably feel that way because he directed Hook).

You either appreciate it for doing something different, or disregard it for deviating from the tone the other two films established. I'm in between, and liked the film "enough" for what it was.

It's an overall nice looking film with great set pieces and with nice ideas here and there, but it lacks the edge that gave the other films a good deal of tension. I hardly see myself giving this many more repeat viewings that I would give with The Road Warrior.