Bounty Killer

As the relentless pair of Drifter (Matthew Marsden) and Mary Death (Christian Pitre) make their entrance into San Dalloosa, the energy at Daft Willy’s Chop Shop and Bounty Supply is electric, welcoming them with unrestrained enthusiasm. This unique establishment, fashioned from a repurposed jet fuselage leftover from the Corporate Wars, serves as a crucial nexus for bounty hunters exchanging the remains of their fallen prey for cash. While Mary basks in the adulation of her supporters, Drifter maintains a stoic demeanor, slipping away to converse with Jack LeMans (Barak Hardley), a gun caddy offering his services. However, Drifter’s steadfastness keeps him at bay from Jack’s proposition, leading him back into the chaotic world of Willy’s chop shop.

Inside, Daft Willy (Kevin McNally), a menacing English thug sporting a blood-stained apron, reveals the grim news of a new death warrant for their acquaintance Snaggletooth Harry, triggering a wave of distress for Drifter. Meanwhile, Mary brings back a cart overflowing with the lifeless forms of executives she has collected, and upon witnessing Drifter’s alarmed reaction, she quips, “He must be your snitch.” Just then, Jack emerges from the remnants of Mary’s haul, desperately seeking validation for his claim of being the greatest gun caddy in the world. A moment of humor quickly turns tense as Drifter, Mary, and Willy point their weapons at Jack, who begs for mercy. In an unexpected act of compassion, Drifter offers him a chance, convinced Jack will meet his doom by week’s end.

As the bounty hunters exit, Willy’s gaze lands on another startling death warrant emerging from his Council-Comm printer, his expression hinting at a revelation that could disrupt the very foundation of their existence. Now joined by Jack, Drifter embarks on a treacherous ride across the dust-laden land on their chopper-scooter hybrid, engaging in a perilous game of catch, tossing firearms back and forth as their mission unfolds: to investigate the origin of Drifter’s infamous reputation and the bounty resting on his head. Meanwhile, Mary attends to her Mustang, which suffered severe damage due to the gruesome load it carried, vowing to remain emotionally detached as she watches a small car driven by the dubious Greg Gunney ([Jeff Meacham]) approach. Mary sees through Greg’s insincere sales pitch for the Wasteland Resorts, taking decisive action to eliminate him and his bodyguard, only to find a chilling death warrant inscribed with Drifter’s name within Greg’s vehicle.

Amidst the unfolding chaos, Drifter discovers duplicate death warrants in Drip Rock, realizing too late that this is a treacherous trap designed by his enemies. When Mary confronts him about the dire situation, questioning the implications of the ominous Francis Gorman poster, her rage erupts into a barrage of gunfire, sending Drifter crashing through a window. After regaining consciousness, he finds himself in a den of henchmen adorned in yellow ties and calls out for Jack’s assistance. Together, they dispatch their foes while debating the necessity of having Mary join their ranks. Just as the last adversary is defeated by a sniper, the chaos clears, allowing Mary to depart in her Mustang.

The tension escalates when Jack reveals the modifications he made to Mary’s car during their stay at the saloon, leading to an explosive escape that leaves Drifter glancing back to check on Mary’s safety, only to find her with a fiery intensity. As night falls over Drip Rock, Van Sterling ([Gary Busey]), a high-ranking executive from Second Sun, arrives in town, bemused by the aftermath of the battle. He engages a distressed minion, quickly discovering that the bounty hunters have slipped away toward the Council. In a sinister call to his superior, Catherine ([Kristanna Loken]), she insists he eliminate them before they can disrupt her plans.

Later, Drifter reveals the weight of his past to Jack, urging his friend to escape the oncoming storm, yet Jack pledges his unwavering allegiance. Suddenly, a knife-wielding assassin from a Gypsy faction pounces, marking the start of an arduous pursuit. Captured and taken to a Gypsy camp, Drifter and Jack endure a night of revelry as they await their fate. The enigmatic Mocha Sujata ([Eve Jeffers]), the Gypsy Queen, demands answers from Drifter regarding a girl named Nuri who vanished years ago, but he remains steadfast, enduring torture rather than divulging information.

In the eerie stillness of dawn, the revelers succumb to hangover-induced slumber while Drifter and Jack exploit their moment of vulnerability to escape. Their getaway involves an exhilarating chase led by Jack’s adrenaline-fueled drive from a Gypsy coach pursued by enraged tribesmen. Thanks to a rocket-launcher, they manage to make a narrow escape, leaving their so-called captors in their dust.

With Mary having reached the Thirsty Beaver, she reunites with Lucille ([Beverly D’Angelo]), the tavern’s enigmatic owner. She is rejuvenated with a bath and fresh armor, along with Lucille’s sage advice before heading back out into the unforgiving landscape. Meanwhile, searching in a junkyard, Jack and Drifter find a vintage Chevy Nova requiring the expertise of Jimbo ([Abraham Benrubi]), who is swayed to join their quest with a six-pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon in hand.

As Mary quests through the desolate Badlands, she stumbles upon the cartographer Azimuth, pleading for guidance to traverse the deadly expanse to the Council building. However, it’s only when he recognizes Mary’s legendary status that he agrees to help, albeit for a signature. The journey soon turns chaotic when Jimbo is shot during a celebratory moment, leading to a confrontation with Mary, who is urged by Jack to acknowledge Drifter’s loyalty when faced with danger. Ultimately, she surrenders to their cause and they head towards the Council, only to find the once-vibrant village ravaged by an army of yellow-clad warriors.

In a poignant reflection, Drifter admits to a connection with the fallen Council, revealing his past offer to join them, which he declined for the thrill of the bounty hunter’s path. Overwhelmed by their mission to seek revenge on Second Sun, their resolve falters when Van and Catherine capture them, later revealing their insidious plot to pin the massacre on Mary. In the midst of the ensuing chaos, Drifter is knocked unconscious while Mary battles fiercely, experiencing both triumph and injury.

Reawakening in the remnants of a Gypsy tent, a solemn Jack reveals the tribe’s loyalty to Mary after avenging their queen, leading them to combine forces to rescue Drifter from Second Sun. Inside the corporate stronghold, an uncharacteristic Drifter is propositioned by Catherine to reclaim his former CEO position. But just as he contemplates the offer, Mary and Jack crash in, unleashing havoc on the corporation’s employees. Unfortunately, the aftermath turns tragic as Mary’s confrontation with Catherine costs her life, igniting Drifter’s wrath and culminating in a showdown of vengeance.

With their daring escape complete, Mary and Drifter find solace at the Thirsty Beaver, savoring a brief reprieve while Jimbo rewards Jack for his bravery. As Mary prepares to confront Second Sun anew in a striking black leather outfit, Drifter’s lingering gaze fills with a mix of longing and resignation, whispering a warning that carries the weight of their tumultuous journey: “Come and get me, old man.”

Last Updated: November 19, 2024 at 15:47