Many video game fans will know that Borderlands is one of the most beloved action games of all time. Currently, there are four main games in the series, as well as some spin-offs and crossovers, but regardless of that, the series is undoubtedly one of the more popular ones.
In light of the recent successes of video game adaptations, a Borderlands movie was demanded by fans, and we now know that the movie is coming out today, but it seems that most fans will be disappointed, wishing that the movie – at least in this format – had never been made.
Namely, ahead of the US premiere of the Borderlands movie, which is happening today – on August 9, 2024 – the first critics’ reviews (for those who’ve seen the previews) are in and the critics have absolutely destroyed the movie, and it seems that the first audience reactions are also very disappointing.
Directed by Eli Roth, the Borderlands movie has a star-filled cast that includes Cate Blanchett as Lilith, Kevin Hart as Roland, Jack Black as the voice of Claptrap, Edgar Ramírez as Atlas, Ariana Greenblatt as Tiny Tina, Florian Munteanu as Krieg, Gina Gershon as Mad Moxxi, Jamie Lee Curtis as Dr. Patricia Tannis, Bobby Lee as Larry, Olivier Richters as Krom, Janina Gavankar as Commander Knoxx, Cheyenne Jackson as Jakobs, Charles Babalola as Hammerlock, Benjamin Byron Davis as Marcus, Steven Boyer as Scooter, Ryann Redmond as Ellie, and Harry Ford as Middleman. Based on this, the movie should’ve done well, but it seems that the execution was simply horrible.
Namely, the film debuted with a horrible 0% rotten rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which has since risen to an equally horrible 7% rotten rating; at the same time, the audience score stands at only 49%, which is equally disappointing. Here’s what the critics are saying:
“Like the original first-person shooter game, “Borderlands” is set on a junkyard planet named Pandora that was once a home base for an advanced alien species, but has since been overrun by violent marauders and women with formidable push-up bras.”
– Amy Nicholson, The New York Times
“Blanchett, outfitted in sparkly gear and a swoop of bright red hair, deserves credit for not shrinking from a task so far beneath her.”
– Benjamin Lee, Guardian
“It’s not a movie for critics, as the saying goes. Nor is it suitable for consumption by most gamers, film lovers, or 99 percent of carbon-based life forms.”– David Fear, Rolling Stone
“Since the characters remain one-dimensional — not much more than cartoonish gamer avatars — we’re never terribly invested in their survival, or their quest to get to the vault first.”
– David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter
“When done right, such biting self-parody can serve to excuse tired storytelling. Alas, Borderlands arrives so close on the heels of Deadpool & Wolverine that it feels like a belly flop to that film’s cannonball.”
– Peter Debruge, Variety
“The definitive worst film of Roth’s career and another strike against AAA games brought to the big screen.”
– Alison Foreman, IndieWire
