The highly anticipated Borderlands movie, directed by Eli Roth, is set to premiere in theaters soon. However, early impressions from critics suggest a challenging reception. Here's a deeper look into the initial reviews and what audiences can expect when the film hits the big screen.
Borderlands Movie: Too Bad to be Good?
Cast Receives Praise Despite Poor Initial Reviews
Eli Roth's adaptation of the popular space Western looter shooter game, Borderlands, has garnered overwhelmingly negative feedback from critics following its early screenings across the US. Social media platforms have been buzzing with critiques, highlighting the film's shortcomings in humor, CGI quality, and screenplay originality.
Edgar Ortega of Loud and Clear Reviews expressed his disappointment on Twitter (X), stating, "Borderlands feels like what an out-of-touch executive thinks the ‘cool kids’ find appealing. There is not a single earnest character moment here, just obnoxious quips that feel dated as soon as they leave the actors’ mouths. It’s not even so bad it’s good, just a complete mess."
Darren from Movie Scene Canada echoed this sentiment, calling it "a baffling video game adaptation," and pointed out the potential for great world-building that was squandered by a "rushed and dull screenplay." He noted, "The set design is impressive, but the film looks cheap due to poor CGI."
However, amidst the criticism, some reviewers found silver linings. Film critic Kurt Morrison praised the performances of Cate Blanchett and Kevin Hart, saying, "Blanchett and Hart are having a lot of fun here & save this from being a trainwreck," though he remained skeptical about the film's appeal to a broad audience. The Hollywood Handle offered a slightly more optimistic view, describing Borderlands as "a fun PG-13 action movie" that leans heavily on "Cate Blanchett’s star power to carry itself to the finish line — and she delivers."
Re-announced by Gearbox in 2020 after a period of uncertainty, the Borderlands movie features a star-studded cast. Despite this, fans of the original game have consistently voiced their doubts about the film's ability to capture the essence of the beloved franchise.
The plot follows Lilith, played by Cate Blanchett, as she returns to her home planet, Pandora, in search of Atlas's missing daughter, portrayed by Edgar Ramirez. She teams up with a diverse group of outcasts, including former soldier Roland (Kevin Hart), demolitionist Tiny Tina (Ariana Greenblatt), her bodyguard Krieg (Florian Munteanu), Tannis (Jamie Lee Curtis), and the robot Claptrap, voiced by Jack Black.
As comprehensive reviews from major film publications are expected soon, audiences will have the opportunity to form their own opinions when the Borderlands movie premieres in cinemas on August 9. Meanwhile, Gearbox has hinted at the development of a new Borderlands game, keeping the franchise's future in the gaming world alive and well.
