I’m not one who is overly familiar with the lore of the world of Mad Max, but this movie served as a standalone without too many references to the larger franchise. I also appreciated how the film didn’t seem “overproduced” in spite of the many action sequences, with the multitude of stunts serving as a contrast to the CGI-rich action movies of today. Ultimately, I enjoyed Beyond Thunderdome as a return to an older era from the cliches of modern cinema.
In spite of the problems that often occur in movies and TV shows that focus on children in what in clearly a world for adults, Beyond Thunderdome pulled off the parent and kid dynamic. All of them serves to humanize the characters in a way: the reveal that Master Blaster’s symbiosis was intended for survival rather than domination shows off a merciful side in the thug who was presented as a secondary villain to Auntie; Max turns out not to be a callous protagonist in that he grows to care for the stranded children. My one complaint is the complete lack of common sense that the children show is designed to propel the plot rather than result from their naivete.
I agree with your point that it the children are overly naive to misunderstand the world around them and believe that there is still hope in this post-apocalyptic world. Having been my second or third time viewing this film, I still don’t fully understand the plot behind this film as compared to the previous films in the series, thus it truly is a standalone and could be why there was never a direct sequel to this film. While I still enjoyed the film, I think that the more I see this movie and others like it, the more I wonder just how accurately these post-apocalyptic films portray how humanity would evolve, or rather devolve, after crisis.