Title: Borderlands
Director: Eli Roth
Cast: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Edgar Ramirez, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Munteanu, Janina Gavankar, Gina Gershon, Jamie Lee Curtis
Where: In theatres near you
Rating: 2.5 stars
In the ever-expanding galaxy of video game adaptations, this film aims to capture the chaotic charm of its source material but instead lands somewhere between a clunky B-movie and an elaborate fan film. The plot centers on Lilith (Cate Blanchett), a bounty hunter with a storied past who is reluctantly hired by Atlas (Édgar Ramírez), a powerful CEO, to retrieve his estranged daughter, Tina (Ariana Greenblatt). Tina, it seems, might be the key to unlocking Pandora’s fabled Vault, a treasure trove said to hold unimaginable riches and advanced alien technology.
Upon returning to the lawless planet of Pandora, Lilith quickly assembles a motley crew: the perpetually quippy mercenary Roland (Kevin Hart), the hulking but mentally fractured Krieg (Florian Munteanu), the neurotic Dr. Tannis (Jamie Lee Curtis), and Claptrap (Jack Black), a robot whose incessant chatter could test the patience of a saint. Together, they must navigate Pandora’s deadly terrain, fend off hordes of bandits, and outmanoeuvre Atlas' private army, the Crimson Lance, in a race to the Vault.
With such a promising setup, one would expect a thrill ride full of sharp wit, explosive action, and perhaps even a touch of heart. Instead, the narrative delivers a lackluster experience, weighed down by a script as barren as Pandora’s wastelands. Cate Blanchett, usually a powerhouse on screen, seems to be phoning it in as Lilith, exuding more apathy than toughness. Her portrayal of the tough bounty hunter is so detached that one wonders if she’s counting the minutes until she can get back to more fulfilling roles.
Kevin Hart’s Roland is little more than Kevin Hart in fatigues, his usual comedic timing dulled by the uninspired dialogue. Roland’s serious nature from the games is discarded in favour of Hart’s familiar persona, which clashes awkwardly with the character’s supposed gravitas. As for Krieg, a character whose split personality could have added depth and humour, he’s reduced to a silent brute who occasionally spits out nonsensical one-liners, much to the audience’s confusion.
Even Tiny Tina, a fan-favorite known for her wild, unhinged energy, is toned down to a run-of-the-mill snarky teenager. Ariana Greenblatt’s portrayal lacks the fire and flair that made the character iconic, leaving audiences wondering what happened to the explosive dynamo they expected. Claptrap, voiced by Jack Black, retains his irritating charm, but even Black’s talents can’t fully redeem the character’s over-the-top antics, which quickly wear thin.
Visually, the film does a commendable job replicating the cel-shaded look of the games, but this stylistic achievement only serves to highlight the film’s overall emptiness. The world of Pandora, despite its striking design, feels more like a theme park attraction than a living, breathing planet. The action sequences, while frequent, lack any real impact, with bland choreography and unimpressive CGI failing to deliver the high-octane thrills the story promises.
Overall, the film is a disappointment on all fronts. It fails to capture the irreverent spirit of the games and squanders the considerable talent of its cast. For fans of the franchise, it’s a bitter pill to swallow; for newcomers, it’s just another forgettable sci-fi misfire.
