Borderlands: Missing the Mark on Multiple Levels

Starring: Cate Blanchett , Ariana Greenblatt , Kevin Hart, Florian Munteanu and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Run-Time: 102 Mins.

Where to Watch: In theaters now

Borderlands was one of the most anticipated films of 2024, especially given the success of the gaming franchise that inspired it, which has garnered millions of fans and substantial revenue over the years. However, as we have seen time and time again, adapting video games into live-action movies is a daunting task, one that rarely meets expectations. While TV adaptations like The Last of Us and Fallout have managed to thrive, offering the time to flesh out characters and develop plots over multiple episodes, movies have struggled to capture the same magic in a condensed format. Unfortunately, Borderlands falls into this trap, much like Five Nights at Freddy’s, which also suffered from low critic scores and poor reviews. The disappointment is even more palpable here, given the film’s star-studded cast, including Kevin Hart, Cate Blanchett, and Jamie Lee Curtis—actors who are typically box-office draws.

Borderlands’ Woes

From the moment the film began with a cold opening, I had a feeling something was wrong. When I found myself almost purchasing a $5 early screening ticket through T-Mobile before watching the film for free, my concerns deepened. The movie lacked a compelling storyline and often felt disjointed, starting in the first act and progressively worsening as it neared the final act.

Borderlands tries to echo the charm of The Fifth Element with its premise—a special individual, in this case, a young girl named Tiny Tina (Ariana Greenblatt), is meant to open a mysterious gate Vault, accompanied by a ragtag group of heroes. They’re on the run from bandits, outlaws, and corporate henchmen. But unlike The Fifth Element, which managed to create a cohesive and engaging narrative, Borderlands falters. The film never clearly explains why Tina is so special until the end, and the plot surrounding her character is inconsistent. Various villains, including the Psychos, alternately try to capture or kill her without clear motivation. By the time the connection between the Psychos and Atlas is revealed in the final battle, the damage has already been done—there’s no real explanation or logic behind their sudden shift in behavior.

Kevin Hart’s character, Roland, initially appears as a promising co-lead—a former soldier who betrays Atlas to help Tina escape. Despite a few decent action scenes, Hart’s character is underdeveloped, his potential backstory with Commander Knoxx left unexplored, which feels like a missed opportunity to add depth to the narrative. Plus his motivation to help Tina to the Vault isn’t clear either.

Jamie Lee Curtis’s performance as Dr. Tannis is serviceable, but her character’s storyline is basic and uninspiring. The tension between Dr. Tannis and Cate Blanchett’s Lilith never feels fully realized, not due to any lack of effort on the part of the actors but because the writing fails to support it.

Cate Blanchett takes on the lead role as Lilith, and while she brings her usual level of commitment and talent to the character, the weak script hinders her ability to carry the film. Blanchett’s performance in Tár is a testament to her capability as a leading actress, but Borderlands would have benefited from focusing more on her character rather than trying to juggle multiple storylines in an attempt to please fans of the game.

Jack Black’s voice work as Claptrap provides some comic relief, but the jokes quickly become repetitive, missing the mark more often than not. This is particularly disappointing given Black’s usual prowess in voice roles, such as his standout performance as Bowser in Super Mario Bros.. The dialogue throughout the film, in general, is underwhelming, which is surprising given the caliber of the cast. At times, it feels grating, like nails on a chalkboard.

Another significant issue is the film’s pacing. It begins with what seems like the promise of a fast-paced adventure but soon slows to a crawl, bogged down by excessive exposition meant to patch up the flimsy storyline. This approach only serves to further detract from the film’s already waning momentum.

On a more positive note, the CGI and graphics are decent, particularly the giant sand monsters that evoke the sandworms from Dune. The costume and set design also deserve praise, successfully capturing the gritty, post-apocalyptic vibe reminiscent of Mad Max. However, these visual elements aren’t enough to save the film from its narrative shortcomings.

Conclusion

I’m not a gamer anymore, nor have I played the Borderlands games, but I can understand why fans of the franchise would feel disappointed by this lackluster adaptation. Despite strong performances from Blanchett and Hart, the film struggles to hold attention and ultimately feels more suited for a streaming platform than a theater. I’d give Borderlands a 4/10 and suggest skipping it in theaters. Instead, revisit classics like The Fifth Element or Firefly, which successfully achieved the cult status that Borderlands could have aimed for.