'Into the Badlands' has a kick but lacks bite

With notional roots in a story from 16th-century Chinese literature, AMC's new action drama "Into the Badlands" imagines a Midwest centuries from now in which successive catastrophes have set civilization back to feudalism. Territorial prairies are patrolled by sword-wielding enforcers -- known as Clippers -- who loyally protect the interests of their respective barons. Technology is low and illiteracy is high; most people consider themselves lucky to live in indentured servitude. There are moto...