In Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome, former cop Max Rockatansky travels to the dusty settlement known as Bartertown. Upon arrival Max asks for temporary passage through so he can locate a bandit who has stolen from him.
Before Max can seek out the illusive thief, he is taken to Bartertown’s leader, Aunty Entity, who proposes a deal. Aunty wants Max to take part in a fight with her rival, a two-person unit known as Master Blaster.
Master Blaster is a diminutive intellectual called Master, and his muscle-bound bodyguard named Blaster. If Max agrees to kill Blaster in combat, Aunty will reward him with supplies, including a vehicle and fuel.
Max initially goes along with the deal and enters Bartertown’s combat arena, Thunderdome, where he dukes it out with Blaster. However, things don’t go to plan, and soon Max finds himself at odds with Aunty Entity.
Directed by George Miller and George Ogilvie, with Miller on co-writing duties, Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome stars Mel Gibson, Bruce Spence, Adam Cockburn, Angelo Rossitto, Angry Anderson, and Tina Turner. The movie is the third instalment in the Mad Max series, taking place after the events of Mad Max 2, and as with its predecessors is another entertaining picture.
Is it as strong as Mad Max 2? No, and I’d argue Beyond Thunderdome is the weakest of the Mad Max movies overall, but it is still an enjoyable film and a great continuation of the series.
Beyond Thunderdome has a couple of issues (more about those momentarily), yet it is a likeable movie. It’s a film where nuggets of gold exist, where the mythology is fleshed out further, and where the cinematography and set design really pop.
All of the Mad Max movies are visually arresting and creative, but I’d argue Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome is the best looking entry out of the first three films. Each Mad Max film looks better than the last and this is certainly true here.
One of the highlights of the picture is a scene set in the titular Thunderdome, which is brilliantly conceived and beautifully shot. The Thunderdome is a simple, cage-like structure, with not much to it, yet it looks impressive on screen.
The whole staging of this action sequence demonstrates a real flare, it is perfectly lit, and marvellous to watch. The Thunderdome scene sticks in the memory long after the film concludes, and is a fine example of the film getting things right.
Other highlights include the marvellously realised Bartertown; the dank yet effective subterranean Underworld; and the oasis settlement called Planet Erf. All the set design in the film is fab, and helps to create a believable post-apocalyptic environment.
Where Beyond Thunderdome struggles is predominantly in the story department and the pacing. The film doesn’t run quite as smoothly as intended and sags a little in the middle.
Beyond Thunderdome starts off well, with the scenes set in Bartertown landing effectively, but once Max leaves the settlement things get bumpy. Max meets a group of children, who take him to Planet Erf, and here the story loses some of its momentum.
There’s some good stuff and the child actors are fine, but the pacing drops and the transition from one half of the story to the next is a bit clunky. It doesn’t derail the film, but it does slow things down.
The film also isn’t quite as brutal as what has come before, and this is noticeable. The Mad Max films operate in a harsh environment, with a dark edge, and while there is a darkness in Beyond Thunderdome it is toned down this time around.
Due to the financial success of the two previous movies, Beyond Thunderdome was given a bigger budget, and I can’t help but feel this impacted the tone to ensure the film was more commercially viable. Beyond Thunderdome isn’t sanitised, but the edges do seem like they have been sanded off.
Despite a couple of bumps in the road, Beyond Thunderdome is a pleasing and mostly satisfying jaunt back into the world of Mad Max. Gibson is solid, demonstrating further growth in the role of Max, while the late Tina Turner makes a great addition to the supporting cast as Aunty Entity.
The stunt-filled finale is a heap of fun, and the uplifting ending gives the movie hope for the future. Beyond Thunderdome isn’t the strongest entry in the movie series, but it’s not bad either.
Should you wish to watch Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome, the movie is widely available on DVD, Blu-ray, 4K, and digital.
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