Badland Hunters is a sci-fi action movie directed by Heo Myeong Haeng starring Ma Dong-seok, Lee Hee-Joon, Lee Jun-young and Roh Jeong-eui.
After a spectacular start, “Badland Hunters” presents us (once again) with the apocalyptic world where an earthquake has destroyed Seoul, and the world is struggling with scarcity of resources and, above all, water.
After this effects-filled start and buildings collapsing, we arrive at a deserted Seoul where the story of a group of people and… a scientist who develops a formula that will change everything will unfold.
About the movie
“Badland Hunters” will not go down in cinema history for its originality because apocalyptic movies set in the desert have already become a well-established genre with a solid fan base. This movie does not shine due to its innovative plot or visual and narrative reconstruction. However, it does entertain and has well-developed characters, a coherent script, and a good rhythmic story development.
“Badland Hunters” gradually endears itself to us, especially through its characters. The story of a group of survivors is not original (as we can remember the AMC series), nor is the idea of a mad scientist obsessed with creating a formula or the idea of scarcity or revisiting a deserted Seoul. However, the movie plays its cards well, particularly in terms of script development, establishing the characters, and taking us into a very human story about the will to survive, faith, and solidarity.
In the technical aspect, it is a good movie: the effects are well-executed and impactful. There are exciting action scenes, and the sound effects are well done. The editing maintains a rhythm for a well-written script that, on the other hand, does not have too many ambitions.
In terms of performance, Ma Dong-seok stands out as a competent leader of the group: he has a good role in relation to the script and carries it out successfully. However, films of this genre typically do not prioritize exceptional performances, and this movie is no exception.
Our Opinion
It is entertaining to watch on a Friday night, with some good action scenes (although few, from our point of view), and it manages to steer a script that, while not original, reaches a satisfying conclusion.
A movie that provides entertainment, does not pose any issues aesthetically, and joins the long list of an inherently fun genre.
Not much more to say.
Where to Watch “Badland Hunters”
