Now’s days any show on AMC that last beyond 1 season without getting cancelled is a feat in itself. The fact Into the Badlands is well into season 3 speaks volumes. So why is it when people ask what I’m watching and I say Into the Badlands, they’ve never heard of it?
So, what’s it about? well, the best way I can describe it is, think Enter the Dragon meets Mad Max. In a post-apocalyptic world, 7 feuding barons now control everything. Each Baron has their designated areas which they rule over in their fortresses. Some Barons want to get along and others want to watch everything burn. Each Baron has their own kind of new age samurai known as clippers. They are loyal, ready to kill or die for their baron at any moment. Each baron’s clipper force will have their own fighting style and distinct uniform. The majority of technology is gone, weapons, computers, there are a few vehicles still operational. After making a kill the clipper with get a tally tattooed on their body.
The baron’s absolute best and top clipper is called a regent. Enter the baron Quinn (played by Marton Csokas) and his regent and our main protagonist Sunny (played by Daniel Wu) eagle eye fans may recognize him from 2000 AD and New Police Story.
Quinn has the largest clipper force, Sunny is fiercely loyal to Quinn and performs his duties without question. Obviously, Sunny is covered in tattoos from all the lives he’s taken. The barons are no slouches themselves most being ex-regents risen to the top so they know how to handle themselves.
The show is full of spectacular fight scenes, gore and Daniel Wu is truly a sight to behold as he effortless performs awesome kicks and acrobatics. If anyone remembers Mortal Kombat Conquest, kind of cheesy but the fights were spectacular.
Throw in a supernatural element with M.K (played by Aramis Knight) a young boy with supernatural powers who Sunny takes under his wing. Both Sunny and M.K are really just trying to live their lives but the baron’s ruthless constraints and orders compromise this.
The story sucks you in from the first episode. There’s family feuds, grudges, drama, lots of betrayal and backstabbing. Marton Csokas really does own his character and I couldn’t believe this was the guy that played Celeborn from Lord of the Rings. When you see another skilled fighter or clipper owning everyone you will mumble to yourself “yeah wait ‘til you meet Sunny”
Eventually, you are introduced to Bajie played by 
our very own Nick Frost. He brings an entertaining but not over the top comedy element. But as the series goes on you soon discover there is a lot more to him than meets the eye.
Into the Badlands sets and costumes look incredible like a big budget movie. It has some very strong female leads also highly trained. The directors, photographers, and chirographers have really outdone themselves. With epic battles with the likes of Cung Lee. For martial arts fans, this is an absolute must watch and even if you’re not, it’s still an incredible watch.
