Video game adaptations have had a rough track record, with games like Assassin’s Creed and Rampage getting poor reviews. Recently, this has started to change, as The Super Mario Bros.
Movie and Five Nights at Freddy’s have been big hits. Shows like The Last of Us and Fallout have won Emmys. So, can Borderlands continue this success, or will it fail in theaters?
What Is ‘Borderlands’ About?
Borderlands is based on a first-person shooter game from 2009 that has many sequels and spinoffs. The movie focuses on one of four playable characters: Lilith (Cate Blanchett), a tough bounty hunter. Lilith likes being on her own.
However, she is forced to team up with an unlikely group to find Atlas’ (Edgar Ramírez) wild daughter, Tiny Tina (Ariana Greenblatt). This group includes Roland (Kevin Hart), a skilled mercenary; Krieg (Florian Munteanu), a masked psycho; Claptrap (Jack Black), an annoying robot; and Tannis (Jamie Lee Curtis), a brilliant scientist from Lilith’s past.
They must travel across Lilith’s hated home planet, Pandora, to collect keys to open a mysterious vault, all while avoiding bandits and dangerous aliens. As they search, they learn surprising secrets about their pasts and each other.
‘Borderlands’ Cluttered Cast Detracts From Its Strongest Element
The cast of Borderlands is full of star power, including several Oscar winners. However, this can be a problem because there are too many characters for any one of them to develop fully. Gina Gershon and Janina Gavankar, for instance, have fun in their roles, but Moxxi and Commander Knoxx have little screen time and poorly developed plots.
Despite the crowded cast, the film shines in the relationship between Lilith and Tina. This dynamic offers a fresh take on the girl-dad trope seen in other shows like Stranger Things and The Last of Us.
Lilith’s cold nature contrasts with Tina’s fiery independence, making their bond the most engaging part of the film. Unfortunately, the film does not focus enough on this relationship and adds unnecessary subplots for other characters.
Tina and Roland’s relationship also suffers from a lack of screen time, and Roland’s character feels underdeveloped. Tannis and Lilith have a complicated history that the film oversimplifies, missing an opportunity for deeper character exploration.
The Performances in ‘Borderlands’ Are a Mixed Bag
Blanchett’s performance as Lilith is uneven. Her sarcastic delivery feels off because the movie struggles between being comedic and dark. When the film allows her to show more depth, she performs well, raising questions about whether the casting was right or if the script is weak.
Ariana Greenblatt, however, stands out with her portrayal of Tina. She captures Tina’s confidence and excitement, balancing comedy and drama effectively.
Jack Black and Jamie Lee Curtis also do well in their roles. Black plays Claptrap with the right mix of annoyance and humor. Curtis brings charm to her role as Tannis, making her character’s age and traits work well.
‘Borderlands’ Is a Fun But Bumpy Ride
At its core, Borderlands is an action-adventure film and delivers on this front. The hand-to-hand combat and acrobatic fight scenes are enjoyable, and some settings, like Tina’s hideout and Moxxi’s bar, are well-designed. However, the film’s CGI looks cheap and dated, especially in the climactic battle.
The film also struggles with pacing. While it’s short at under two hours, the fast resolution of plotlines feels rushed. This affects the film’s clarity and tension. Though there are some surprising twists, many plotlines are predictable. The film’s theme is about the journey, but it doesn’t give enough time to enjoy it fully.
In the end, Borderlands is a fun summer movie but is flawed and forgettable. It’s disappointing because the game’s source material has richer characters and themes that the film fails to explore fully.
