Borderlands 2024 movie In the expansive landscape of movies and TV shows adapted from video games, some titles have achieved blockbuster status, like Sonic the Hedgehog and The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Others, such as Resident Evil, have evolved into long-running franchises, while The Last of Us has garnered both critical acclaim and a loyal viewership. Yet, there are certain adaptations that might have been better left as games, and Borderlands is one such example. Director Eli Roth, known more for his horror films, struggles to balance humor with the relentless barrage of gunfire, explosions, and violence in this lackluster sci-fi action comedy.
The most surprising element of Borderlands is its impressive cast, headlined by Cate Blanchett, who brings as much gravitas to the role as the material allows. Filming for Borderlands 2024 movie took place in 2021, just before Blanchett starred in Tár, marking a significant upgrade in the quality of her roles. Tim Miller handled reshoots in 2023 while Roth was committed to another project, Thanksgiving.
Borderlands 2024 movie
The Bottom Line: Pandora’s box is empty.
Release date: Friday, Aug. 9
Cast: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Edgar Ramirez, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Munteanu, Janina Gavankar, Gina Gershon, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Screenwriters: Eli Roth, Joe Crombie, based on the video game
Rated: PG-13, 1 hour 40 minutes
To be fair, the original script for Borderlands 2024 movie likely appeared more promising, given the involvement of screenwriters like Craig Mazin, co-creator and co-writer of The Last of Us. However, Mazin reportedly distanced himself from the project, and the final script credits went to Roth and first-timer Joe Crombie, believed by some to be a pseudonym.
The movie opens with a cosmic screensaver-like sequence, introducing us to the Eridians, an advanced alien race whose vast knowledge, including weaponry, is rumored to be hidden in a vault on the planet Pandora. According to prophecy, a daughter of Pandora will one day open this vault, bringing order to the chaotic planet, now overrun by scavengers, bandits, and the Crimson Lance militia.
Cate Blanchett stars as Lilith, a cool and composed bounty hunter with a quick trigger finger and a mysterious past. Against her better judgment, Lilith is coerced by corporate overlord Atlas (Edgar Ramirez) into returning to Pandora to retrieve his missing daughter, Tiny Tina (Ariana Greenblatt). Upon arrival, Lilith is greeted by the desolation of her birthplace, with all its bad memories and unresolved issues.
Despite her reluctance, Lilith is saddled with Claptrap, an annoying robot voiced by Jack Black. Their search leads them to Tiny Tina, a demolitionist with a penchant for rigging plush toys with explosives. The mission to rescue Tina quickly becomes more complicated, as she has teamed up with rogue soldier Roland (Kevin Hart) and the hulking Krieg (Florian Munteanu), who serves as her protector.
The group is soon on the run from Commander Knox (Janina Gavankar) and her Crimson Lance forces. Along the way, they encounter Moxxi, a bar owner played with flair by Gina Gershon, and xenoarcheologist Tannis (Jamie Lee Curtis), who warns them of impending danger.
The film attempts to blend elements from Guardians of the Galaxy, Mad Max, and Star Wars, but the result is a grungy, lifeless aesthetic that fails to capture the imagination. The characters, unfortunately, remain one-dimensional, making it difficult for viewers to invest in their survival or their quest.
The lack of character depth also makes the supposed emotional moments, such as Lilith’s growing attachment to Tina, feel hollow and unearned. Roth’s direction is messy, rushing from one action scene to the next without allowing the characters to form meaningful bonds.
Despite the efforts of the talented cast,Borderlands 2024 movie falls flat. Blanchett, though capable, is given little to work with, and Kevin Hart’s natural humor is stifled by uninspired dialogue. Jack Black’s voice work as Claptrap is grating, further hampering the film’s comedic potential.
Ultimately, Borderlands 2024 movie is likely to disappoint fans of the game and casual viewers alike. As Claptrap quips after one of the film’s many chaotic scenes, “I blacked out. Did something important happen?” The answer, sadly, is no.
