Borderlands Review: From the Crazy Video Game Series to the Movie

Eagle Pictures presents Borderlands! From the producers of Uncharted, Spider-Man And Venomarrives in theaters from August 7th the film based on one of the most famous video game series in the world. Directed by Eli RothAfter Thanksgivingin collaboration with Gearbox, Borderlands makes a very good debut, proposing itself as a great action movie both for the game fans that for a external public.

The plot

We are in a distant future universewhere power is in the hands of some strange corporationsAmong them is a weapons manufacturing company commanded by the powerful Atlas (Edgar Ramirez). Atlas is looking for his Daughterlost on the mysterious planet Pandoraand decides to send the bounty hunter on a mission Lilithexpertly interpreted by Cate Blanchettto recover it.

The little girl is Tiny Tina (Ariana Glenblatt) and was kidnapped by the rebel soldier Roland (Kevin Hart), convinced that Tina could be the mysterious alien daughter heir of Pandora. The planet is disturbing, populated by a series of Crypt Hunterswho are incessantly seeking the priceless alien relics that could regenerate the land of Pandora, and the Psychodiabolical beings who kill and raze everything they find. Once she finds Tina, Lilith will decide to join Roland, in order to protect the girl, and will become part of the crazy group of subjects that surround him: the former psycho War (Florian Muntenau), the robot (Jack Black) and the scientist Tans (Jamie Lee Curtis).

The group, strange and eccentric, will cross Pandora and its obstacles to escape from Atlas’ plans, with a fantastic surprise ending.

A screenplay for sure complex to be laid out, having to be inspired by a video game. The transformation in fact presents a bit of narrative confusion, but despite this Eli Roth and Joe Crombie they still manage to create a very particular action story, suitable – unlike the video game – also for minors.

A subtle sense of humor

A very funny style, where the humor and the irreverent tone of the characters, are fundamental, and in this case colliding often with the politically correct. This does not mean that there are no more serious implications or significantindeed, many themes are hidden under the layer of pure entertainment of the film, and the one that stands out the most is certainly theemotional instability of these characters.

As a dysfunctional familyeach of them has exuberant shields and facades that actually hide a broken soul. It is no coincidence perhaps that the title Borderlands evokes not only the borderland but also the borderline characterization of the characters. Yet these, together, share their oddities and manage to give each other strength.

“Hope comes from the most unexpected places” Lilith says, looking at her companions and the desolation that surrounds them. Sometimes you have to fall into the deepest abyss to find the strength to climb back up, and it will be her who to light up more than anyone.

The role played by Cate Blanchett also has a hidden thicknessespecially in relation to that of Tiny Tina. Lilith is like a mother who takes care of her daughter, she is like an adult who revises in another little girl the “she” as a child. Their relationship, even if not very well developed on a scenic level, however alludes to a beautiful connection. There is protection, projection, empathy, teaching And nostalgia. We are certainly curious to see how it will develop in the sequel, already announced to the press.

Special effects and costumes: the strong points

Another strong point of the film is the special effectswith the Borderlands universe actually being completely recreated. Filmed largely in Budapestwith degraded and industrial locations then worked in CGI, the film presents us an apocalyptic setting that transports us into a dream.

Pandora has been recreated in an insane way, an extremely hostiledisturbing and curious; also not to be underestimated is the skill of the actors and the Stuntman that populate the scene. In fact, there are numerous combat simulations and explosions, masterfully interpreted. Let’s not forget that Borderlands was filmed during the pandemican additional difficulty in addition to that of generating a world completely from scratch. After the scenography, magnificent are also the costumes underground, which well recall the characters of the video game, with a style that hovers between the military and the dreamlike.

So ready to go and see it at the cinema? Humor, action and pathos will certainly not be lacking. From August 7th in all theaters.