Movies based on video games have an interesting streak. We haven’t had one lately that we can say “this sucked.” Come on, Super Mario Bros. The Movie didn’t have a great story, but it balanced the experience with good references, animation, and a few funny details. Borderlands It simply fails miserably by not being able to cover the aforementioned characteristics.
Eli Roth had the difficult task of directing the film adaptation of Borderlands And that has its merit. That it didn’t work out is another story. Let’s say that the goal of this film was to maintain the absurdity of the video game, which is certainly entertaining and much loved by fans, but the premise perhaps doesn’t work as well in the cinema. Come on, it needs to be a little more thoughtful.
Although the effort is commendable and even applaudable, especially for the construction of Pandora and the spectacular way in which Cate Blanchett is exposed, in reality at the execution level it contributes absolutely nothing. You can say that I am very bitter, which is totally valid, but the only thing that amused me, and it was not much, was listening to Jack Black dubbing Claptrap.
This is one of those times when it really feels like both critics and audiences will be in agreement, especially since it’s been a while since a movie based on video games wasn’t some kind of piece of crap that went overboard in the blink of an eye after more than 2 hours of screening.
Borderlands point by point
Cate Blanchett shining in her own light
Let’s talk about the good things about Borderlands And that is the presence of Cate Blanchett. During CCXP Mexico 2024, Eli Roth stated that at the cinematographic level, the actress who gained fame for her role in Lord of the Rings, looked spectacular. And the characterization as Lilith was made as if it were a unique craft.
Her wardrobe, her hair, the shots. Everything made Cate Blanchett carry the film on her shoulders because she was the star. Of course, the script didn’t help her that much, but her “bad ass” attitude made up for the situation. Admittedly, this may not be enough of a hook to try to defend Blanchett. Borderlands in the cinema.
The second to make a notable effort to heed the call to do his best is Kevin Hart. We have already seen him in some action films, but usually it is always in more or less comic roles. Here he is the full-fledged soldier who has to save Tina (Ariana Greenbalt). Let’s say that he is also a victim of what he was given and there is no other way around it.
Jack Black voices ClapTrap and, as always, he steals the spotlight in a remarkable, if not outstanding, way. There are some forced moments, but other hilarious ones where this robot will make you laugh. Florian Muntenau, Jamie Lee Curtis and Edgar Ramirez are just there to do their job and collect the check. They couldn’t have done anything else to make the movie credible.
It’s not a great argument, let’s say.
In the United States, they define “cheesy” as a corny movie with a plot that is too silly. Well, this “cheesy” is still stinky, old, about to expire and send microorganisms to the rest of the tuppers stored in the fridge. We understand that the plot of the video game has enough arguments to be brought to the big screen, but not without making fun of the audience in the process.
It happens that in BorderlandsLilith is asked to recover Tina, who is the daughter of Atlas, however, the plot is so clear that there is no surprise. You already know what is going to happen the moment Cate Blanchett sets foot on Pandora, which was her home planet. Yes, Eli Roth said that it was a project that should not be taken so seriously, but it was not that serious.
The script that Eli Roth and Joe Crombie came up with left a lot to be desired and someone at Lionsgate should have put the brakes on them. Even Randy Pitchford should have done something more. Even some executive at 2K, whoever it was. The narrative needed to be less obvious, the mystery needed to be a bit of work… Whatever, but oh well. They didn’t succeed.
The pace at which the story is told is also very rough. Let’s say it was: explanation, gunshots, Claptrap joke, and adventure. This was a loop that repeated itself over and over again without end. Personally I feel that this is what made Borderlands in the cinema something very predictable and quite poor. Perhaps also the expectations were too high.
Borderlands’ scenarios are fulfilling
As I mentioned, not everything is disgusting or rubbish in Borderlands. There are some things that are very redeemable. Pandora is a place with a very wide variety of settings… All perfectly suited for Cate Blanchett to look like a goddess beyond our understanding and reach.
Arid, desert climate? She looked like a million bucks. City at night, she also sparkled. No matter the location, it was totally suited for this actress to look like the leading lady she was. That leads to one point: the rest of the characters, from Tina to the generic masked warriors, matched her. There was a real contrast that was perfectly thought out.
The special effects were good, especially when they needed to look their best. Right when we got to the end of the movie you can see that they tried to do their best and well, let’s just say it turned out okay. Going back to the settings, the variety is what helps you feel like you’re on the journey and want to get from point A to point B, which is totally valid.
The problem of Borderlandsis that even though the film has these good visual elements, in reality they fall short, empty and all because the plot does not serve much. There is no soul in the film. The minimum effort or spirit with which you say: they made an effort for something more than the filthy money that drives the capitalism in which we live.
Should you go see Borderlands in theaters?
Borderlands It’s a very popcorn movie. It will entertain you as long as you’re in the mood to put your brain in neutral and with zero demands. Come on, there’s more plot in Leslie Nielsen’s “Where’s the Policeman” movies than in this film directed by Eli Roth.
Come on, cinema should be proactive. It doesn’t matter if it’s to make you laugh your head off or suffer from so much drama or make your skin crawl because a character risks his life in an adventure. It should provoke you at least something. Borderlands It doesn’t provoke anything in you. A laugh here and there because Claptrap is funny. A little surprise here and there because Cate Blanchett looks amazing, but nothing more.
It’s a shame that things ended so badly with Borderlands, which, while not obliged to win an Oscar, did have to continue the good streak of video game adaptations to film, at least in trying to fully entertain an audience for whom a movie ticket is not cheap.
If you’re a big fan of the franchise, you might as well play it and wait for it to drop on a streaming service, so you don’t feel like you’re wasting your time in such a severe way. Will you be encouraged to go and see it? Borderlands? Follow the conversation at Discord from TierraGamer and don’t miss the best of gaming in our feed Google News.
#Review #Borderlands #reminds #adaptations #wrong #Cate #Blanchett
