59
Metascore
14 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 80SalonAndrew O'HehirSalonAndrew O'HehirOnce you get past an awkward and artificial beginning and roll with the movie’s crazy rhythm, The Dead Lands is also a blast, and one that delivers an unexpected emotional wallop along with gore, thrills and spectacular scenery.
- 80The Hollywood ReporterDeborah YoungThe Hollywood ReporterDeborah YoungIt’s a remarkable film experience in several ways.
- 70VarietyDennis HarveyVarietyDennis HarveyWhile the primal you-killed-my-family-now-I-kill-you story smacks of old Westerns (and newer Liam Neeson movies), the pic rises somewhat above formula due in large part to its being acted out in this particular historic cultural context. Depictions of pre-colonialist Maori life are rare enough onscreen, let alone in this kind of muscular genre effort.
- 63Movie NationRoger MooreMovie NationRoger MooreAn unblinkingly fierce and bloody tale of slaughter and revenge.
- 60The DissolveNoel MurrayThe DissolveNoel MurrayIt’s a mash-up of familiar genre elements—too familiar, frankly—given a welcome sense of scope and shading by the location.
- National Geographic meets the WWE in this brutal, brawling revenge tale set in pre-Colonial New Zealand, mixing insight into indigenous Maori culture with barked dialogue and vicious arterial sprays, making for a simple but exciting adventure.
- 58The A.V. ClubIgnatiy VishnevetskyThe A.V. ClubIgnatiy VishnevetskyThe problem with this kind of universal narrative is that, like the cult of the golden ratio, it emphasizes formulas at the expense of those expressive qualities that actually make art and entertainment.
- 50Village VoiceAaron HillisVillage VoiceAaron HillisThe film is undeniably elevated by its exotic milieu. It's a shame, then, that it's stuck with such a familiar coming-of-age call to adventure.
- 50The New York TimesNicolas RapoldThe New York TimesNicolas RapoldAs it dives into this infrequently depicted culture, Mr. Fraser’s film is caught shuttling uneasily between speeches and action.
- 25Slant MagazineCarson LundSlant MagazineCarson LundA phony collection of storytelling clichés held under the banner of archetype and lent a modicum of weight by the splendor of the landscape.