As a die-hard gamer and cinema enthusiast who grew up with the original “Borderlands” game series, I can confidently say that Lionsgate’s film adaptation has left me more disappointed than a level 50 Vault Hunter facing a white-rarity enemy. The movie is a disheartening 102-minute journey through a desolate wasteland, littered with the remnants of what could have been an entertaining and faithful adaptation.
Spoiler alert: This column contains mild spoilers for the “Borderlands” film and game series.
In theory, the highly acclaimed “Borderlands” game franchise seems tailor-made for a blockbuster movie adaptation: A group of misfit space bandits? Indeed. Witty humor interspersed amidst intense combat sequences? Absolutely. An endearing (yet somewhat irritating) robot companion? Affirmed!
So how did Lionsgate’s film adaptation, helmed by Eli Roth, fumble the bag so badly?
The movie “Borderlands” is widely criticized and considered disappointing by many standards. It has a very low rating of only 5% fresh from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, and even the main film critic from EbMaster found it lackluster due to its unoriginal plot. As the story unfolds, it becomes quite evident where things are going, and by the end, not even the characters seem interested in the outcome of the ‘vault’ revelation.
Among those who squander 102 minutes on what can be described as a mediocre imitation of “Guardians of the Galaxy”, it’s likely that no group will feel more aggravated than us gamers. (Including myself)
Back in 2009, when “Borderlands” initially hit the shelves, it set a trend for an entirely fresh genre: the looter shooter. This game’s rapid-fire combat required players to stay alert for randomly appearing new weapons dropped by vanquished foes. Each superior weapon discovered would alter their tactical approach on the battlefield.
The intense gunfights were made even more engaging by an array of captivating character options to play: Siren Lillith, boasting strong Eridian powers, the enraged Brick as a tank, the sharpshooting Mordecai as a hunter, and Roland, a soldier once part of the Crimson Lance.
In the movie, Brick and Mordecai are missing, but instead of the spirited young gunslinger Lillith being played by a sprightly 25-year-old, it’s 55-year-old Cate Blanchett in the role. Although her acting skills are unquestionable, it’s challenging to recognize the original character’s essence in her portrayal of an experienced and shrewd outlaw. On the other hand, the rough Roland character is transformed into a string of worn-out jokes about Kevin Hart’s height.
Admit openly that the humor in “Borderlands” feels distinctly from 2009 and may not appeal to everyone, considering it was a breath of fresh air back then for a first-person shooter game to have a less serious tone. The jokes like “Bonerfart,” which were amusing in their time, don’t resonate as strongly in 2024 as they once did.
Regrettably, though the movie deviates considerably from its original storyline and characters, it appears that the humor – which arguably required the most modernization – remains unchanged.
At some stage, as Blanchett’s character Lillith and Kevin Hart’s character Roland reach a tight corridor, she signals for him to proceed first and playfully says, “After you, ladies.” However, this isn’t particularly innovative humor.
Almost every joke misses its mark, not because the actors lack effort – quite the contrary, they pour themselves into their roles. However, the script is puzzling and doesn’t seem to coalesce into a significant or satisfying ending. Considering the film’s turbulent production history, this outcome isn’t unexpected.
The movie began filming in 2021 amidst the pandemic, but it required additional shooting sessions in 2023, overseen by director Tim Miller of “Deadpool” fame. Initially, “The Last of Us” author Craig Mazin penned the script for Roth to direct; however, he eventually distanced himself from the project. Now, both Roth and Joe Crombie are credited as screenwriters.
In the storyline of their game, the plot unfolds towards a predictable third-act twist: Lillith is actually Eridia’s real daughter and boasts remarkable traits similar to those of a phoenix, notably the unique power of “phasewalking.” Interestingly, this ability is the very first skill players can acquire for Lillith in the game. Consequently, it may leave seasoned fans of the original content feeling underwhelmed since they would have anticipated this revelation already.
If the movie doesn’t consider the gamers who bought more than 77 million copies of “Borderlands”, then for whom, exactly, is it intended?
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2024-08-10 22:20