Badland hunters (2024) Movie Review
Badland Hunters feature Ma Dong-seok, known for his roles in Train to Busan and Ashfall, wreaking havoc once again. This time, Seoul faces a catastrophic earthquake, reminiscent of a scene from a Mad Max movie, as the military attempts to arrest Yang Gi-su for his dark experiments.
Fast forward three years, and the city remains a wasteland. Choi ji-wan, played by Lee Joon-young, braves the desolation for a hunt but encounters a formidable foe—an alligator. Fortunately, Ma Dong-seok's character, Nam San, comes to the rescue with his trusty machete. The action-packed film promises thrills and intense scenes as it unfolds.
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Badland Hunters marks director Heo Myeong Haeng's debut film, despite his prior work as an actor and stuntman in movies like Oldboy and Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan. Writers Kim Bo-Tong (D.P.) and Kwak Jae-Min (Amanza) provide a compelling storyline, starting with a fierce encounter with an alligator and escalating to a showdown with a gang of bandits. The pace rarely slows down, keeping audiences engaged as Su-na and her grandmother mistakenly seek refuge in what turns out to be a perilous safe haven.
Although nominally linked to 2023's Concrete Utopia, Badland Hunters introduces new characters and operates as a standalone film. Even if you haven't seen the original, the storyline remains accessible. The movie blends cult thriller, mad scientist horror, and post-apocalyptic action, offering a mix of excitement and familiarity. While not entirely original, the film draws inspiration from various sources, creating a captivating experience reminiscent of V, The Girl With All the Gifts, The Raid, and more.
Badland Hunters excels in its 80s slasher-style violence, featuring machetes and knives alongside guns. The practical and mostly impressive CGI effects enhance the gore, but the CGI depicting the remains of Seoul falls short, often resembling outdated matte paintings from the 70s or 80s.
The highlight of the film, as with many of Ma Dong-seok's projects, lies in the scenes where he unleashes chaos. From battling hordes of enemies to a final showdown with an enhanced super soldier, Ma Dong-seok's performance elevates the film into a wonderfully gory and action-packed post-apocalyptic spectacle. The collaboration between Heo Myeong Haeng and Ma Dong-seok in Badland Hunters leaves viewers eagerly anticipating their reunion in The Roundup: Punishment, with hopes of revitalizing the franchise after a lackluster third installment.