As a seasoned moviegoer with over three decades of cinematic adventures under my belt, I must say that Borderlands has left me more disappointed than a kid on Christmas morning finding only coal in their stocking. This film, based on the popular video game series, boasts an impressive ensemble cast, but it fails to capitalize on their talents.
“Cate Blanchett, a renowned actress, doesn’t seem to consider Borderlands a work of art, but she finds it enjoyable. Regardless of her opinion about its artistic merit, that statement tells you all you need to know. This movie is adapted from the popular Gearbox Software video game series and boasts an impressive ensemble cast. Notably, one of the greatest actresses in the industry stars as our lead, alongside Kevin Hart and Jack Black, who are also part of the Jumanji series. Additionally, Oscar-winner Jamie Lee Curtis is present, as well as Ariana Greenblatt, known for her roles in Barbie productions, and Florian Munteanu, a former boxer turned actor.”
The film Borderlands feels almost unbearable to watch. It’s not quite the worst blockbuster of the year (that title still belongs to Madame Web), but it falls short significantly in terms of providing entertainment. Since I haven’t played the game this movie is based on, I can’t fairly evaluate its accuracy as an adaptation. However, what I can say is that it fails to stand on its own merits – it’s a disappointingly bland film pretending to be full of character.
The film initiates, much like a Star Wars movie during its escape-from-prison scene. Character Tiny Tina (Greenblatt) finds herself in peril initially, but is saved by Roland (Hart). Upon removing his mask, the film adopts a somewhat more playful demeanor. Despite this lighter tone, the action remains largely grave and intense. It may seem unbelievable to consider Kevin Hart as an action hero, yet this movie challenges that notion. We subsequently encounter Lillith (Blanchett), a tough-as-nails character who carries firearms and seems always ready to pull the trigger. She’s a bounty hunter assigned the mission of locating captive Tiny Tina.
Initially, it’s perplexing for me as a fan, finding Lillith embark on a rescue mission for a character who seemed saved at the start – reminiscent of a video game save-and-load glitch. Yet, the movie speeds ahead swiftly, quickly establishing our key characters and serving up an enjoyable car chase involving most of them, wrapping up our initial act. Alas, this is where the film’s merits cease. We soon find ourselves immersed in a plot that fails to deliver captivating twists or turns. Instead, it presents a series of action sequences that often mimic the video game experience, yet none of them enrich the characters or the narrative.
The movie Borderlands has been in production for quite some time now. It was actually filmed three years ago. Since then, Cate Blanchett, who played in Tár and was nominated for an Oscar, prepared for that role during her breaks from filming Borderlands. Director Eli Roth also made and released another movie called Thanksgiving, and there were two weeks of reshoots directed by Tim Miller, who has worked on Deadpool and Terminator: Dark Fate. Craig Mazin, the original writer who created HBO’s The Last of Us with another creator, is no longer part of this project. These facts suggest that Borderlands may not be a top priority for creatives with impressive resumes.
Blanchett is incapable of giving a bad performance in anything. She’s a cool character, but the film attempts to give her a backstory surrounding her mother, whom she barely remembers. The emotional backstory does not work in the slightest, leaving the audience disconnected from her character. You don’t feel anything for her, even in the final act, which requires you to feel for her character. Hart gives a good performance, but his character is the most boring person in the film. No amount of short jokes and Hart-isms can make you invested in a character who has nothing on the page.
In numerous instances, Jack Black’s portrayal as the vocal character Claptrap, a chatty robot who initially teams up with Lillith and provides comic relief, is frequently highlighted. Known for his exceptional voice work in movies like Kung Fu Panda and The Super Mario Bros., this role unfortunately falls short of his usual brilliance. Regrettably, the humor in this movie misses its mark, failing to engage the audience, resulting in an entertainment void. Despite the abundance of jokes, they generally fail to elicit laughter. Black’s delivery is predominantly shouting, which becomes quite irritating over time. Similarly, Greenblatt’s performance lacks charm due to her repetitive approach.
Curtis’ portrayal of Dr. Patricia Tannis is forgettable. The villains in this movie are poorly developed and hardly appear on screen. By the time a villain makes an appearance during the climax, I had already forgotten they were part of the story due to their extended absence. Another antagonist is mentioned frequently but their wrongdoings aren’t shown until the end. The film promises vibrant characters joining forces for exciting action scenes, yet both the action and character development fall flat. You don’t find yourself rooting for these characters or witnessing their relationships develop over time.
In one scene, a character confronts multiple antagonists simultaneously. The camera then shifts elsewhere, and upon returning, the villains are all defeated. It would have been thrilling to witness how they managed such an impossible predicament. Characters such as Claptrap and Tiny Ina consistently make poor choices that lead to trouble for the protagonists, which is frustrating because it fails to endear us to them. Additionally, the film lacks a balance in its pacing; instead of alternating between intense action sequences and moments of tension, the action remains relentlessly chaotic throughout.
In essence, Borderlands falls short when it comes to providing a captivating, movie-like experience. It’s among Roth’s least impressive works, with minimal action or humor to engage the audience.
SCORE: 3/10
According to the review guidelines on ComingSoon, a rating of 3 means “Bad.” This media is problematic and leaves one feeling it’s more of a task than an enjoyable experience to consume.
Disclosure: ComingSoon attended a press screening for our Borderlands review.
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2024-08-08 16:10