Eli Roth’s Borderlands is a film that feels like a blast from the past, with its humor and casting choices seemingly stuck in a bygone era. The movie features an ensemble cast including Cate Blanchett, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Hart, and Jack Black, but despite the star power, the film falls short of expectations. As a fan of the video game franchise, the disconnect between the source material and the adaptation left me questioning the necessity of the film in 2024.
The plot of Borderlands follows a group of characters on a mission to rescue a young woman named Tina from the clutches of the villainous corporate overlord Atlas. The team, consisting of characters from both the first and second games in the franchise, embarks on a journey to find an ancient alien vault that holds the key to stopping Atlas‘ plans for dominance. Along the way, they encounter various challenges and obstacles that test their resolve.
One of the major issues with Borderlands is its reliance on outdated humor and dialogue. The film’s jokes feel stale and forced, with an overabundance of one-liners that fail to land. The constant barrage of banter leaves little room for meaningful character development or plot progression, resulting in a shallow viewing experience. Additionally, the film’s attempts at humor often fall flat, relying on tired tropes and references that feel out of touch with contemporary audiences.
The casting choices in Borderlands also raise eyebrows, with actors like Cate Blanchett and Jamie Lee Curtis playing characters who are significantly younger in the games. This age disparity adds to the overall sense of disconnect between the characters and their portrayals on screen. While the actors do their best with the material they are given, the lackluster script and dialogue hinder their performances, leaving much to be desired.
In terms of action sequences, Borderlands fails to deliver the high-octane thrills and excitement that one would expect from a video game adaptation. The PG-13 rating limits the film’s ability to fully embrace the violent and chaotic nature of the games, resulting in lackluster and uninspired action scenes. The absence of the unique and quirky guns that are a hallmark of the games further detracts from the overall experience, leaving fans disappointed.
Ultimately, Borderlands feels like a missed opportunity to bring the beloved video game franchise to the big screen in a meaningful way. The film’s outdated humor, lackluster action sequences, and mismatched casting choices contribute to a viewing experience that falls short of expectations. While the star-studded cast may have brought a level of prestige to the project, it ultimately fails to elevate the film beyond its shortcomings. For fans of the Borderlands games, the movie may leave them wondering why it exists in 2024.