Borderlands Movie Set for Box Office Disaster Amidst Scathing Reviews**
The once highly anticipated *Borderlands* movie, directed by Eli Roth, is facing a ton of criticism from ‘actual’ film critics ahead of its release on August 9, 2024.
With a staggering budget of $110–120 million, the film is already being labeled a box office flop. Currently as of this writing, holding a zero percent rating (I’ve never seen that happen tbh) on Rotten Tomatoes from ten critic reviews, Borderlands is set to be a cinematic misfire that fails to capture the essence of the beloved video game franchise it’s based on.
The film centers around Lilith, played by Cate Blanchett, an infamous bounty hunter with a mysterious past who returns to her chaotic home planet of Pandora. Tasked with finding the missing daughter of the universe's most powerful man, Atlas, portrayed by Edgar Ramírez, Lilith forms an alliance with a group of misfits. The ensemble cast includes Kevin Hart as Roland, Ariana Greenblatt as Tiny Tina, Florian Munteanu as Krieg, Jamie Lee Curtis as Tannis, and Jack Black as the wisecracking robot Claptrap. Together, they battle alien species and dangerous bandits, aiming to uncover one of Pandora's most explosive secrets.
Despite the star-studded cast and vibrant setting, the movie has …not impressed critics, to say the least. Edgar Ortega of Loud and Clear Reviews describes Borderlands as "what an out-of-touch executive thinks the 'cool kids' would find appealing," noting the film is filled with "obnoxious quips" that feel "outdated as soon as they’re uttered." This critique underscores a fundamental disconnect between the film's attempt at humor and its execution, resulting in a movie that struggles to resonate with its audience.
Jake Kleinman from Inverse acknowledges the film's efforts to create a visually appealing post-apocalyptic world, saying it "gets points for crafting a vibrant post-apocalypse setting." However, he ultimately dismisses it as "Guardians of the Galaxy with worse jokes." This comparison highlights the film's struggle to differentiate itself from other sci-fi franchises and its failure to deliver the humor and charm that made the *Borderlands* games so popular.
Barry Hertz of Globe and Mail further criticizes it as "tonally messy" and "narratively janky," with "pasted-over narration that reeks of creative indecision." Such comments point to deeper issues within the film's structure and storytelling, suggesting a lack of cohesive vision that leaves even the most dedicated fans of the franchise disappointed.
With such overwhelmingly negative reviews, the Borderlands movie seems guaranteed for a dismal performance at the box office. While professional critics are always met with skepticism these days, their unified hatred for this film even existing speaks volumes. Borderlands was unable to capture the magic of the original games, and instead, delivered a product that falls flat on… multiple fronts.
But hey, maybe Borderlands can defy the odds and attract audiences… despite the critical panning. However, given the current trajectory, the film is likely to be remembered as a disaster and how not to adapt a beloved video game franchise for the big screen.
~Smash