Season one of Into The Badlands is out on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD and we look back on this strange show. Now, I need to be clear that “strange” doesn’t mean bad, but instead means different. AMC is known as the network with dark shows, that while oft comic inspired, at based in reality. Into the Badlands eschews the norm by being a martial arts spectacle set in some post-apocalyiptic America.
The show utilizes color magnificently, and the undefined time period gives it a look altogether different from anything on TV
Look, I love martial arts as much as the next 30-something. From Bruce Lee to all the schlock from the Shaw Brothers, I can sit and watch punches and kicks all day long. Into the Badlands feeds my love not only becuase the show is bloddy fantastic with its martial arts choreography, but because it’s a solid show underneath. Yes, the marital arts work is the main draw, but there is a lot more to the show than just that.
Anchor Bay sent us a copy of the Blu-ray a few days back and when we popped it in one thing hit us in the face like a ton of bricks –the gorgeous use of color. Into The Badlands loves to play with striking colors that it almost feels like a comic book, something which helps the show really stand out.
Into the Badlands is stylish as hell!
Set in a world centuries from now, “Into the Badlands: The Complete First Season” focused on the spiritual journey of Sunny (Wu) and M.K. (Aramis Knight), a teenage boy who harbors a unique ability, and their growing relationship as teacher and student. Both discover their true purpose and decide to explore what lies beyond the borders of the Badlands, but as their Baron Quinn continues to battle against his own family as well as his rival Baron The Widow, Sunny and M.K.’s journey to a more peaceful existence seems further out of reach.
This package not only comes with the show (because how could it not), but comes packed with a number of extras for fans of the series. These extra bits include the following:
- Inside “Into the Badlands”
- Anatomy of a Fight
- Building the World of “Into the Badlands”
- The Characters Of “Into the Badlands”: The Barons
- The Characters Of “Into the Badlands”: The Clippers
- The Master: “Into the Badlands” Fight Camp Episode 1
- Creating Real Kung Fu: Fight Camp Episode 2
- Bringing It All Together: Fight Camp Episode 3
- “Into the Badlands” Digital Comic
Into The Badlands is something different on AMC because it is more concerned with being a fun television show than one that is trying too hard to win awards. You need to going into the show simply looking to see a some beautiful fights that will leave you crying out as they happen. Sure, the show is full of cliches, but that sort of comes with the territory with marital arts type shows and films.
The writing can be a little inconsistent and the world building does come in spurts and stutters at times, but it does grow and finds its footing as the season develops. Sure, without the marital arts most people would write the show off, but that hook is enough to keep you coming back for more. I tell people that if the series trailer gets them excited then the show is defiantly for you, and if you’re on the fence snag the pilot episode on Amazon to give it a chance. Just make sure to pick up the Blu-ray and prepare for a show that oozes cool.
Marital arts shows on American television are few and far between, so when you find one that has better production values and choreography than major films you sit your butt down and watch it. You can pick up the show starting today on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2f2EY2V
Read our review of episode 1 here: http://bit.ly/1SxWvtT
And our review of the episode 2 here: http://bit.ly/1LwkAw0
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