The highly anticipated Borderlands movie, directed by Eli Roth, is generating overwhelmingly negative buzz from early critics, even before its theatrical release. This article summarizes initial reactions and what audiences might expect.
A Critical Mauling: Borderlands Falls Short
Early reviews paint a bleak picture for Eli Roth's adaptation of Gearbox's popular space western looter-shooter. Critics, airing their opinions on social media following early screenings, overwhelmingly condemned the film's weak humor, unconvincing CGI, and uninspired script.
Edgar Ortega of Loud and Clear Reviews tweeted a scathing assessment: "Borderlands feels like an out-of-touch executive's idea of 'cool.' No genuine character moments, just stale, obnoxious one-liners. It's not even 'so bad it's good,' just a complete mess."
Darren Movie Reviews (Movie Scene Canada) echoed the sentiment, calling it "a baffling video game adaptation." He acknowledged the potential for impressive world-building, but criticized the rushed, dull screenplay and the jarring contrast between impressive set design and cheap-looking CGI.
A Few Glimmering Positives Amidst the Wreckage
Not all reviews were entirely negative. Some critics found redeeming qualities, primarily praising the performances of the lead actors. Kurt Morrison noted that Cate Blanchett and Kevin Hart "save this from being a complete trainwreck," though he expressed doubt about the film's potential audience. The Hollywood Handle offered a slightly more positive perspective, calling it a "fun PG-13 action movie" that relies heavily on Blanchett's star power.
A Star-Studded Cast in a Disappointing Production
Despite the critical panning, the Borderlands movie boasts a stellar cast, including Cate Blanchett as Lilith, Kevin Hart as Roland, and a supporting ensemble featuring Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Munteanu, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Jack Black. The film follows Lilith's return to Pandora to find Atlas's missing daughter, embarking on a perilous quest with her eclectic team.
While full reviews from major publications are pending, the initial response suggests a disappointing adaptation of a beloved game franchise. The Borderlands movie arrives in theaters August 9th. Meanwhile, Gearbox has teased the possibility of a new Borderlands game. The trailer can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/embed/lU_NKNZljoQ
