Phil Roberts 
Although Borderlands aims to honor the beloved game franchise, it falls short due to its shallow and uninspired plot, lackluster performances, underwhelming CGI, and cringe-worthy humor.
Eli Roth’s BORDERLANDS is the newest addition to the growing big-screen video game adaptations list. Riding on the success of “FALLOUT,” the movie has the benefit of an audience ready and willing to pile into multiplexes to satisfy their appetites. Thankfully, the film has amassed an all-star cast to bring the project home. Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Edgar RamÃrez, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Munteanu, and Gina Gershon are all involved in bringing the film to life. And adding her glamour to proceedings in Hollywood royalty, Jamie Lee Curtis. But can this talented cast capture the essence of the game series, or will Borderlands end up deserted in the bargain bin wasteland?
Look away now, game fans, because Borderlands is a train wreck. Despite attempting to pay homage to the game franchise, the film is let down by a shallow, uninspired plot, lackluster performances, unimpressive CGI, and cringe-worthy humor. While the film has the potential for greatness, it never achieves it. Cate Blanchett’s performance barely salvages the film, but it ultimately feels like a massive letdown. Ultimately, it amounts to little more than a visually appealing but forgettable popcorn movie fit for a bargain bin.
REVIEW
The film starts with a gripping opening sequence that takes inspiration from the rich lore of the game series. Cate Blanchett’s character, Lilith, delivers a gripping monologue that reveals the existence of a mythical Vault, a repository of immense power. As the existence of the vault fades into legend, adventurers from across the galaxy embark on a quest to plunder its treasures. However, the search for the vault requires a map and three ancient alien artifacts crafted by the enigmatic Eridians, the extinct race who were the original vault owners. Once combined, these artifacts unveil the vault’s location and serve as the key to unlocking its secrets.
With the lore firmly established and paid homage to, Eli Roth throws caution to the wind. The film suddenly deviates from the established plot and attempts to replicate the brilliance of James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy but without the heart, soul, or charm. The relentless bounty hunter Lilith is enlisted by the influential corporate figure Atlas (played by Edgar RamÃrez) to undertake a daring assignment. Her mission is to bring back Atlas’s kidnapped daughter, Tiny Tina (portrayed by Ariana Greenblatt).  Tina, the apparent key to the mystery, has been abducted by Kevin Hart’s mercenary-turned-reformed hero, Roland, and his mindless Bane wannabe henchman, Krieg. The trio converges on the planet Pandora, an intergalactic dumping ground for the waste of the galaxy to wrestle for control of Tina’s fate.
GOTG, ONLY STUPIDER!
Typically, after a few growing pains, this band of misfits joins forces and decides to find the vault for themselves. Along the way, they are accompanied by the persistently irritating Claptrap, a small droid voiced by Jack Black, who becomes more loathsome as the film progresses, and Dr. Patricia Tannis, a peculiar ‘xenoarchaeologist’ portrayed by Jamie Lee Curtis, who possesses vast knowledge of the vault and its secrets. With the band of misfits now assembled, Roth struggles to recreate the magic that made Guardians of the Galaxy such a beloved film. Unfortunately, the chemistry between the cast members seems noticeably lacking, giving the impression that they are simply going through the motions for a paycheck.
The lead actors’ lack of enthusiasm for their roles, especially Kevin Hart’s lackluster performance as an action hero, makes it difficult for the audience to connect with their characters and root for them in their struggles against RamÃrez’s henchmen, the dangerous creatures of Pandora, and the various masked adversaries they encounter. Jamie Lee Curtis appears to drift through the scenes with a solemn expression, offering sporadic words of wisdom. At the same time, Greenblatt’s Tiny Tina seems to be striving to emulate Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn. Although Greenblatt’s portrayal is more convincing than that of most of the cast, it fails to establish any significant on-screen chemistry.
CRAPTRAP!
Jack Black’s portrayal of Claptrap initially charms audiences with his witty one-liners and quips, but the appeal begins to fade as the movie progresses. The filmmakers rely too heavily on Black’s delivery to carry the character, resulting in a lack of depth and substance. After numerous failed attempts at humor, I grew increasingly frustrated with Claptrap’s presence in the film. Cate Blanchett skillfully shoulders the burden of the film’s arduous plot and lack of character development in her role as the edgy gunslinger Lilith. However, even her serviceable performance cannot salvage the film as it struggles to maintain momentum. Blanchett stands out as a beacon of hope among the cast, hinting at the potential for improvement as the story progresses. Unfortunately, her allure fades like Claptrap, and her character eventually becomes a clichéd, eye-roll-inducing archetype reminiscent of characters in more well-executed films.
A BLAND HIGHLIGHT REEL
The film ultimately feels like a collection of cliché action scenes, forced attempts at humor, unimpressive CGI, unmemorable characters, and cringe-worthy dialogue. While the visuals are flashy and vibrant, the subpar quality of the CGI undermines their impact. This type of filmmaking seems superficial, and the substance is sorely lacking. The score by Steve Jablonsky does little to elevate the film, and the numerous song choices fail to enhance its overall appeal. By the time the credits roll, the film amounts to little more than angry noise. It’s a recipe that initially appeals but quickly loses its charm. I hate to be this critical, but following the exceptional game adaptation that was Fallout, Borderlands seems to have taken the genre a step backward. It is a cheap and superficial cash grab destined to be banished to the bargain bin.
VERDICT
After a year of quality releases like Dune: Part Two, Deadpool And Wolverine, and Furiosa: A Mad Max Story, Borderlands pales in comparison. Screenwriters Eli Roth and Joe Crombie aimed to redefine the game adaptation genre but unfortunately missed the mark with Borderlands. Since the release of Fallout, expectations have soared, and unfortunately, Borderlands doesn’t quite measure up. If you’re heading to the cinema for a forgettable popcorn flick, this is the film for you. Just don’t expect to be entertained.
Borderlands is set to hit UK cinemas on August 8 and US theaters on August 9.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
