The highly anticipated Borderlands movie, directed by Eli Roth, delivers a mixed bag of thrills and disappointments. On the one hand, it masterfully captures the visual essence of Pandora, visually bringing to life the chaotic, vibrant world fans have loved since the game’s inception. On the other hand, giving it soul, aka the story. falls flat, deviating too much from the source material and ultimately feeling generic and underwhelming.
If Graphics Made the Game
One cannot deny the visual triumphs of Borderlands. The film’s production design is a jaw-dropping realization of the game’s unique futuristic wasteland. From the sprawling deserts to the gritty urban centers, every frame is packed with the kind of detail that fans of the franchise will appreciate. The costumes and makeup are equally impressive, with each character looking like they’ve stepped right out of the game. The attention to detail extends to the characters’ signature weapons and gear, creating an immersive experience that is visually stunning.
The film does capture the chaotic spirit of a random cooperative group from the game. The characters, much like in the gameplay, have no intention of playing for the greater good of the team yet somehow manage to work together haphazardly. This dynamic is well-portrayed and brings a sense of authenticity to the film. However, the movie struggles to find a balance between staying true to the game and establishing its own identity. It often feels caught in between, resulting in a narrative that lacks a clear direction, purpose, and identity.
Great Players, Meh Characters
The cast fully dives into their roles, bringing a sense of authority and enthusiasm that’s palpable. Cate Blanchett as Lilith delivers a performance that captures the complex nature of her character, while Kevin Hart’s Roland is a surprising yet effective mix of humor and gravitas. Jamie Lee Curtis brings her usual flair to the role of Tannis, and Ariana Greenblatt’s Tiny Tina is a scene-stealer with her chaotic energy. However, it is Jack Black’s Claptrap that truly shines. Black infuses the character with a mix of humor and annoyance that perfectly mirrors the game, making Claptrap the standout character of the film.
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Despite the strong performances, the story and script itself is lackluster. It deviates significantly from the game’s narrative, opting for a more generic plot that fails to capture the depth and intricacies of the source material. And never really captures to grandeur and gratification of new loot the game is iconic for. This deviation might alienate hardcore fans who were expecting a faithful adaptation.
Low Crit
While Borderlands is not a bad film, though the nature of extreme ideas and ignorance to nuance that social media demands would have you think otherwise, it’s biggest problem is fails to live up to the high standards set by recent video game adaptations. In the early 2000s, this movie would have been considered elite, but in today’s landscape, it doesn’t level up. The storylines, though individually interesting, never coalesce into something greater than the sum of their parts.
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The film feels like it could have been three separate specials, each focusing on different aspects of the Borderlands universe. This disjointed approach keeps the movie from achieving the narrative depth and cohesion that could have elevated it. Also, the failure to really capture the gaming aspect, or even tying in free vault codes or new skins for the games, is emblematic of how underserved the franchise is by the film.
A Potential Respawn
Unfortunately, the movie’s potential for a significant box office return seems limited, as it doesn’t offer enough to justify a theater visit for most audiences. Given the movie’s strengths and weaknesses, it might find a second wind on streaming platforms. The film’s visual spectacle and chaotic fun can be enjoyed in a more casual setting, where its shortcomings are less glaring. The fun, generic but direct story, and solid action sequences could feel like a tremendous return on the minimal effort required to stream it at home. But in contrast to the rigamarole of going to the theater, the returns are immensely underwhelming.
Borderlands is a visually stunning film that captures the chaotic spirit of its source material but falls short in delivering a compelling narrative and bringing the spirit of the game into another medium. While the cast delivers strong performances and the visuals are a treat, the film’s story feels generic and tragically lives in the paradox of being too similar and too different than the game.
It’s not a bad movie, but it fails to meet the expectations fans have of the franchise and the standard set by modern video game adaptations. Fans might enjoy the visual spectacle and character portrayals, but the movie’s true home might be on streaming platforms, where its chaotic fun can be appreciated without the high stakes of a theater visit.
For being under-leveled for the mission, I give my Borderlands review a
5/10
For those eager to see Borderlands in all its visual glory, the film will be released in the United States by Lionsgate on August 9, 2024.
About Borderlands
Release Date: August 9, 2024
Directed by: Eli Roth
Screenplay by: Eli Roth and Joe Crombie
Screen Story by: Eli Roth
Based on: The Video Game Borderlands created by Gearbox Software and published by 2K
Produced by: Ari Arad, p.g.a., Avi Arad, Erik Feig
Executive Produced by: Tim Miller, Ethan Smith, Louise Rosner, Emmy Yu, Lucy Kitada, Christopher Woodrow, K. Blaine Johnston, Randy Pitchford, Strauss Zelnick
Cast: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Edgar Ramírez, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Munteanu, Gina Gershon, and Jamie Lee Curtis
Synopsis: Lilith (Blanchett), an infamous bounty hunter with a mysterious past, reluctantly returns to her home, Pandora, the most chaotic planet in the galaxy. Her mission is to find the missing daughter of Atlas (Ramírez), the universe’s most powerful S.O.B. Lilith forms an unexpected alliance with a ragtag team of misfits – Roland (Hart), a seasoned mercenary on a mission; Tiny Tina (Greenblatt), a feral pre-teen demolitionist; Krieg (Munteanu), Tina’s musclebound protector; Tannis (Curtis), the oddball scientist who’s seen it all; and Claptrap (Black), a wiseass robot.
Together, these unlikely heroes must battle an alien species and dangerous bandits to uncover one of Pandora’s most explosive secrets. The fate of the universe could be in their hands – but they’ll be fighting for something more: each other. Based on one of the best-selling videogame franchises of all time, welcome to BORDERLANDS.
Are you ready to join Lilith and her team on their epic adventure in Borderlands? Which character are you most excited to see in action? Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #BorderlandsMovie.
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