The Dead Lands

The impeccably choreographed battles are fast-paced, violent, graphic, and absolutely beautiful to watch unfold. Some people have commented on the tired, cliched story, to which I say, "there was a story? I was too busy watching this crazed warrior covered in battle tats rip a dude's neck open with grandpappy's spankin' paddle."

The only/first film ever set in pre-written history (Maori) New Zealand, and it's actually very competently made! I have extremely high standards for action scenes, and these were quite decent indeed. Loved the intensity on all the actors.

It's great to see a Maori film like this, featuring the Maori language throughout. Unfortunately, that's about it. I mean, it's a perfectly competent film, but it's not great. The story's a bit too simple, and it feels stretched over the run time. It takes itself pretty seriously, too, which is fine, but it often steps over the line into melodrama. The direction and cinematography are pretty good, and it's a decent movie overall, but a forgettable one, too.

Very cool to see something different like the Maori weapons used here, but ultimately it feels like something is missing to make this really memorable.

Revenge and Violence, not the most complex plot but it drives the awesome action which makes this film for sure worth the watch.

The biggest downsides to this movie are the pacing and the editing of the action scenes. Nearly everything else is well done and interesting. Lawrence Makoare was amazing in this, I'll need to track down more of his films.

Filmed and acted beautifully, though the story leaves something to be desired. As an experience, a fascinating taste of a culture rarely glimpsed by Western eyes.

Apocalypt-abbo

This is a poor-mans Apocalypto. That would be okay if the story was any good.

Self-serious and deeply silly.