Borderlands Movie Reviews Call It "Miserable Failure," "Fun," And "Generic"

As a longtime fan of the Borderlands games, I’ve spent countless hours looting, shooting, and laughing my way through the vibrant world of Pandora. The upcoming Borderlands movie, releasing tomorrow, has left me with a mix of excitement and apprehension.

As someone who has been eagerly awaiting the release of the Borderlands movie since its announcement, I couldn’t contain my excitement as I read through the initial reviews that have started to surface online. Having played the video game series for years and immersing myself in the vibrant world of Pandora, I was curious to see how the film would translate the unique blend of humor, action, and storytelling found within the games onto the big screen. Based on what I’ve read so far, it seems that the movie has captured the essence of the beloved franchise while adding its own flair to the characters and plot. I can hardly wait to see it tomorrow, August 9, in theaters!

At TopMob, our review for the Borderlands movie gave it a 2 out of 10 rating. Critic Phil Owen described it as “unoriginal” and “expendable.” On our sister site Metacritic, the film has an average score of 33. Keep scrolling to read more reviews and quotes from various sources on the web.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the Borderlands movie, helmed by the mastermind behind Hostel, Eli Roth, with additional directing work from Tim Miller, known for Deadpool. This cinematic adventure promises to be grand, boasting an impressive lineup of stars such as Cate Blanchett stepping into the role of Lilith, Kevin Hart breathing life into Roland, Jamie Lee Curtis embodying Tannis, Jack Black lending his voice to Claptrap, and Ariana Greenblatt shining as Tiny Tina.

Previously, Roth worked with both Blanchett and Black in “The House with a Clock in Its Walls,” which was released in 2018. The close relationship that developed during this project is said to be the primary factor leading to Blanchett’s involvement in the movie. Blanchett herself mentioned that she decided to take on the role partly due to feeling overwhelmed by the COVID-19 situation and wanting a change of scenery.

In its own unique world, the Borderlands movie doesn’t affect the video games, and conversely, the events in the game don’t impact the film. As we maintain authenticity in characters, atmosphere, and style, each medium is free to develop distinct storylines. Since they are different forms of media, they shouldn’t be constrained by the same narrative rules.

Speaking about the Borderlands video game franchise, there’s a common belief that developers at Gearbox may be working on Borderlands 4 and could potentially make an announcement about it in the near future.

Borderlands

Directed by: Eli Roth (re-shoots by Tim Miller)
Written by: Eli Roth
Starring: Jack Black, Jamie Lee Curtis, Cate Blanchett, Ariana Greenblatt, Kevin Hart
Premiere Date: August 9
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 1 hour, 40 minutes

TopMob — 2/10

“Throughout its main stretch, Borderlands doesn’t stand out much and tends to slip from memory so effortlessly that it’s challenging to dislike it intensely. However, Jack Black’s disturbing rendition of Claptrap is an exception.” – Paraphrased by AI

ScreenRant — 3.3/5

“Despite everything, the journey to Pandora remains an enjoyable one, and I’m definitely open to another adventure on a large screen.” – Tatiana Hullender [Full review]

The Hollywood Reporter — No score

As a devoted fan of video games, I might derive additional enjoyment from Borderlands, but it’s not guaranteed. In the game, after a massive onslaught with heavy weaponry, Claptrap reactivates and inquires, “I passed out. Was something significant unfolded?” However, in this context, it seems that wasn’t the case.

Variety — No score

2018 Oscar winner Cate Blanchett teams up with Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Jack Black in a run-of-the-mill video game adaptation that fails to deliver the element of shock and novelty found in its original material. – Peter Debruge [Full review]

IGN — 3/10

“Borderlands, in Matt Donato’s view, is a disappointing adaptation of a cherished series. Instead of keeping the eccentric band of characters lively and vibrant, it strips away their charm. Eli Roth doesn’t compare to James Gunn, and this film lacks the captivating sci-fi aesthetics, intriguing narrative twists, and quirky humor found in Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy. The game’s distinctive style is merely imitated on the surface, while a PG-13 rating results in the removal of the original’s graphic violence, risqué jokes, and offbeat themes, replacing them with generic content designed for broader appeal. Essentially, Borderlands becomes the opposite of what the series represents – a dismal failure.”

GamesRadar — 2/5

2024-08-08 16:11

Borderlands Movie Reviews Call It “Miserable Failure,” “Fun,” And “Generic”