We're supposed to be rooting for M.K. and Sunny, as they form a redemptive father-and-son-like bond, but it would be like rooting for two pieces of wood, they are so emotionally unengaging.
Alas, its dystopian-future setting and typical world-building don't really stand out from other genre fare, and the characterization is pretty weak. The series may still be worth checking out, however, if only for the impressive action scenes.
When Wu and Csokas are off-screen and people aren't kicking each other in the face, Into the Badlands is deadly dull. And even when they are, you keep waiting for the next fight to break out.
The fight scenes are great - a swirling choreography that's captivating to watch and there's obviously plenty of tension brewing amongst the Baron and his family. But, honestly, there's a certain predictability here.
Even though the swordplay is fun, there's not nearly enough... there might be something said for recording Into the Badlands to watch later when you can fast-forward straight to the action. But that's about it.
If you're a martial-arts fan, you won't be disappointed. Dramatically, Into the Badlands is all dressed up with places to go. Whether it will arrive offers reason to watch.
Fight scenes of such length, detail, and dope katana trickery that they are the exception that prove the rule: They are pretty cool, not deadly boring, and render the rote "bam-pow-sock" fights seen on most of television even more tiresome by comparison.