Into the Badlands: looks interesting
- Thread starter Joelist
- Start date
Ah....a place we differ a little Shaved. I like the better Wuxia (martial heroes) films. And Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon is one of the best, as it not only has the martial arts heroes but also great acting, a rather artsy directorial style and a good story rooted in ancient Chinese legends that Wang Dulu used as a basis for the set of books the movie is based on.
If you like Bunraku you should like The Heroic Trio which I previously posted about:
http://gatefans.net/gforums/threads...ver-see-a-us-superhero-movie-like-this.27839/
If you like Bunraku you should like The Heroic Trio which I previously posted about:
http://gatefans.net/gforums/threads...ver-see-a-us-superhero-movie-like-this.27839/
And.....based on the premiere this is so much better than The Walking Dead it isn't funny.
It was a bit talky, but as a series premiere it has to set everything up so it needed to be in order to give a background on the story world. Even with that the pacing was good and crisp, the plot was pretty logical and explained well enough and the action choreography was simply outstanding.
The fight scenes were simply superb and you could tell that the actors were either martial artists in their own right (Daniel Wu) or underwent extensive training before production because their moves do not display any of the usual "Hollywood chop socky" martial arts usually seen - they are crisp, precise and fast. The fight choreography smacks of Yuan Haiping with a touch of John Woo.
Acting was also good. Daniel Wu is great in the lead as Sonny, the commander of the fighters for "The Baron". The actor playing The Baron (Marton Csokas) also did well.
Worth the watch. Interesting that this was done by the same network that produced The Walking Dead.
It was a bit talky, but as a series premiere it has to set everything up so it needed to be in order to give a background on the story world. Even with that the pacing was good and crisp, the plot was pretty logical and explained well enough and the action choreography was simply outstanding.
The fight scenes were simply superb and you could tell that the actors were either martial artists in their own right (Daniel Wu) or underwent extensive training before production because their moves do not display any of the usual "Hollywood chop socky" martial arts usually seen - they are crisp, precise and fast. The fight choreography smacks of Yuan Haiping with a touch of John Woo.
Acting was also good. Daniel Wu is great in the lead as Sonny, the commander of the fighters for "The Baron". The actor playing The Baron (Marton Csokas) also did well.
Worth the watch. Interesting that this was done by the same network that produced The Walking Dead.
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shavedape
Well Known GateFan
I agree, they did a really good job of setting up the premise of the story. The pacing, directing, acting and choreography were all top notch. (The camera work for the fight scene between Sonny and The Widow's henchmen was stellar!) I hope they manage to keep up the quality of the production as the story progresses.
shavedape
Well Known GateFan
I, too, don't care for "blood for blood's sake", but this show isn't mindless about it. What they show fits the genre and the story. And the cinematography is quite good despite some scenes being rather violent. But that's the whole point of the piece; the whole point of the story -- the "civilized" world is rough but just wait until you get into the Badlands, oy!
As it is I'm looking forward to seeing more of "The Widow". The fight scenes with her look really cool, and I usually hate fight scenes if that tells you something.
I honestly have no idea if this show will continue to shine or if it will crap out, but I'll definitely watch the next episode, that's for sure.
GREAT opening fight scene with the Widow! Not to mention Tilda - I am starting to think the name of the show should be "Into the Badass". Not only is Sonny a badass but so are the Widow and Tilda. and I agree that the pacing is excellent and even better the plot was advanced. We now have a better understanding of what is driving the Baron and indeed of who the Widow is too. Some intrigue to spice the show up but they have been very good about keeping any shipping anchored in moving the story.
Episode #3 - Also very good.
Quinn acted on what he thought was the Widow's unprovoked attack on Ryder. However, as we know Ryder tried to kill the Widow then lied about it. So, the delicate relationship between the Barons is now in a mess because it looks to everyone like Quinn broke their agreements.
Again spectacular fight sequences, this time between Quinn and the Widow (and yes Quinn is a badass) , MK and the old regent (who in a funny fight scene handles him with complete ease as a demonstration of how much he has to learn) and Sonny and a "prostitute" who is also one of the Widow's "butterflies".
Having this on right after The Walking Dead makes TWD look awful. The pacing, acting and writing of Into the Badlands is far superior to it.
Quinn acted on what he thought was the Widow's unprovoked attack on Ryder. However, as we know Ryder tried to kill the Widow then lied about it. So, the delicate relationship between the Barons is now in a mess because it looks to everyone like Quinn broke their agreements.
Again spectacular fight sequences, this time between Quinn and the Widow (and yes Quinn is a badass) , MK and the old regent (who in a funny fight scene handles him with complete ease as a demonstration of how much he has to learn) and Sonny and a "prostitute" who is also one of the Widow's "butterflies".
Having this on right after The Walking Dead makes TWD look awful. The pacing, acting and writing of Into the Badlands is far superior to it.
shavedape
Well Known GateFan
I missed the end of the episode. Is the Widow still alive? How did it end?
She is indeed. Quinn had a seizure during their fight and she escaped. Interestingly her "butterflies" killed several clippers of Quinn's and she fought to give them time to escape to a hideout she prepared. I'm starting to like The Widow - that she fights rearguard to protect her "servants" speaks well of her.
As to the ending, Quinn has engaged the Doctor who is Sonny's love to try to treat his tumor. MK also approached her to read The Widow's book for him.
As to the ending, Quinn has engaged the Doctor who is Sonny's love to try to treat his tumor. MK also approached her to read The Widow's book for him.
shavedape
Well Known GateFan
Yes but it has to be a whole different production crew from top to bottom. I just don't see the same producers for TWD making ItB. Clearly the producers of ItB actually give a shit about making a quality show.
Oh I'm quite sure it is a totally different crew, writers and showrunner.
The showrunners pedigree involves directing actors such as Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh. And they also went and got a top notch choreographer in Stephen Fung, who has an impressive resume in these types of films in the Hong Kong market.
The showrunners pedigree involves directing actors such as Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh. And they also went and got a top notch choreographer in Stephen Fung, who has an impressive resume in these types of films in the Hong Kong market.
Excellent episode tonight!
We learned more about why the Widow and Tilda are who they are. Also why the Widow is protective of her "butterflies" - I admire her goals but her approach could wind up creating mass devastation.
Also, Quinn got COMPLETELY outmaneuvered by the Widow. His parley blew up in his face and even better we found out that his regent is secretly affiliated with....the Widow! And she has also struck an alliance with Ryder. Meanwhile Jade discovered that the Baroness has "ways" of dealing with rival wives. And Sonny is realizing that Quinn's increasingly crazy actions are going to trigger a war between the Barons.
The plots within plots are a bit complex but the fast pace and the incredible fight choreography (this episode featured a great battle in a cemetary) more than keeps it going. Also the acting is still top notch.
We learned more about why the Widow and Tilda are who they are. Also why the Widow is protective of her "butterflies" - I admire her goals but her approach could wind up creating mass devastation.
Also, Quinn got COMPLETELY outmaneuvered by the Widow. His parley blew up in his face and even better we found out that his regent is secretly affiliated with....the Widow! And she has also struck an alliance with Ryder. Meanwhile Jade discovered that the Baroness has "ways" of dealing with rival wives. And Sonny is realizing that Quinn's increasingly crazy actions are going to trigger a war between the Barons.
The plots within plots are a bit complex but the fast pace and the incredible fight choreography (this episode featured a great battle in a cemetary) more than keeps it going. Also the acting is still top notch.
Errant of Patha
GateFans Member
I really like this show, the plot follows the story without being dragged down with character melodrama.