Badland Hunters (2024) Hindi + English + Korean
A wild ride
Badland
Hunters combines a lot of familiar elements for a post apocalyptic
adventure that pushes through any narrative issues with its brutal
action and the fact that this is a surprisingly funny film. Despite all
the mutant soldiers, gangs and a mad scientist, this is one of the most
civilised wastelands put to screen and there's a lot of charm in that.
Ma Dong-seok is obviously very believable with his natural physicality and he has a subtle leading man charm. The best part of his performance is how he's never phased by any of the evil plans he uncovers or the unkillable antagonists he comes up against but a set of stairs knocks the wind out of him and the woman who's constantly flirting with him truly baffles him.
As a stuntman turned director, Heo Myeong-haeng offers further proof that former stuntmen are the best at shooting action sequences. Whilst some of the fights can be too hyper active, for the most part that kind of camera work really works here, accentuating the movements of the performers in a way that enhances every blow. Especially any punch from Ma Dong-seok himself.
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