As a Māori-based action movie, The Dead Lands offers a unique take on the classic revenge tale. Set hundreds of years ago in pre-colonial New Zealand, director Toa Fraser's film examines locations, people, spiritual beliefs and even fighting styles that, up until now, we've had little exposure to, at least on the big screen. That's not to mention how all the movie's dialogue is spoken in the endangered Māori tongue. And yet, The Dead Lands couches itself in a stereotypical vengeance story we've seen in countless other movies. The end result is an interesting look at a rich and isolated culture, albeit one steeped in familiar genre elements.
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