I almost missed this one. Yes, Badland Hunters, a new Korean film, skipped both my eyes and mind. Hence, a delayed review.
However, it’s a new action entertainer that runs for a little under two hours.
The movie’s crux is all about fights, emotions, and a novel concept. Is it worth watching though? Here is my review.
Badland Hunters Synopsis
A high-intensity earthquake destroys Seoul and brings curtains to the world. The survivors start living like in pre-historic times.
What remains unmoved is a doctor’s ambition of becoming immortal while trying to keep his dead daughter alive.
In the quest, he and his associates begin capturing teenagers from nearby makeshift villages to use their special biological advantages.
When a girl he knows is abducted by the doctor’s men, a fearless huntsman decides to take them on.
Directed by Heo Myeong-haeng, the movie stars Don Lee (Nam San), Lee Hee-jun, Lee Jun-young (Ji-wan), Roh Jeong-eui (Su-na), An Ji-hye (Sergeant Lee), and others.
What Works for Badland Hunters?
You may have heard of similar concepts many times but Badland Hunters appears unique in approach.
Very recently, an Indian film called Ganapath was released in theaters. It was also set in the post-apocalyptic world and had a fighter-like figure as the protagonist, who goes on to battle with the powerful to diminish the gap between the rich and the poor.
What that movie lacked can actually be found in Badland Hunters. Here, two men go all the way to bring back a girl taken to a safe haven by an organization on the pretext of providing a better life.
In reality, they are interested in using her as a tool in a mad doctor’s shady ambitions.
The setup of Badland Hunters is not ostentatious. It sets in naturally, gladly ignoring the need to use melodramatic dialogue, weepy scenes, and a humdrum of distraught visuals.
There is authenticity in its narration even though the idea is quite superficial. Executing something that might not be believable in a genuine manner is paramount, in my opinion.
Badland Hunters excels in this department.
Moreover, by far, the biggest highlight of the Korean flick is its action scenes. They are visually electric and strategically imposing.
Although they cannot be compared to what we saw in Sixty Minutes, still the combats have their own merit.
Furthermore, Badland Hunters is shot quite well, including the video effects used in several places. Be it the doomsday earthquake or gory visuals of chopped heads, flaws are kept at bay.
I also liked the crisp narrative. The movie begins, gives the protagonists a goal, and they begin working towards it.
It never strays from the plot. No unnecessary drama, songs, or sentimental vehemence find a place in Badland Hunters.
Still, it can transfer the feelings without any ado, thanks to the brisk screenplay, which is also consistently engaging.
How are the Performances?
Don Lee is the undisputed king of action in this Korean film. Carrying a sober mien, he transcends into a fiery man of steel, feared by bad guys and respected by the common people.
His gentle line of expression is equally eye-catching. The renowned actor always stays on top of his craft, however, through a dominating screen presence.
As Ji-wan, Lee Jun-young is commendable in Badland Hunters. He is naive and gentle in approach, trying to side with innocent humor.
Still, his combat scenes are brilliant. It is the simplistic attitude that puts him at ease on most occasions.
One might wonder if he could have been allotted more dialogues to make a deeper impact.
Roh Jeong-eui plays Su-na while An Ji-hye portrays Sergeant Lee. Both are poles apart in terms of character sketches.
On one hand, Jeong-eui is quiet, calm, and constrained; on the other, An Ji-hye takes pride in bringing unhinged intensity through swift action sequences.
What Doesn’t Work for Badland Hunters?
The storyline is too straightforwardly structured. There aren’t many twists or turns or even layers in the plot.
It is why the movie lacks depth. Moreover, the protagonists are given an easy way to attain glory.
They are almost invincible. So, in this aspect, you can say Badland Hunters misses an opportunity by not coming out as a realistic depiction of human strength.
The makers could have made it tougher for the lead characters to reach their desired goal.
After all, what is the point of having menacing villains without equally devastating substance in the narrative?
Furthermore, Badland Hunters leaves some questions unanswered, particularly related to Nam San’s acquaintance with Su-na.
Stream or Skip?
It is definitely watchable but only as a pastime action entertainer.
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