Borderlands – REVIEW

As a seasoned movie-goer who has traversed the vast and varied landscapes of cinematic storytelling, I must confess that Borderlands left me feeling like a lost Vault Hunter in a maze of generic action sequences. With an impressive cast and a promising premise, this film fails to deliver the same charm and charisma as its video game counterpart.

The upcoming blockbuster adaptation is based on the popular video game franchise, Borderlands. Despite being another portrayal of a dystopian future in outer space with western influences, it stands out due to its group of unconventional characters. Imagine a blend between Suicide Squad and Guardians of the Galaxy, but these characters lack the charm, likeability, or coolness that those groups possess.

In Borderlands, instead of an immigration-related riot, you’ll find a captivating story set on the planet Pandora. Here, corporations and prospectors seek a hidden treasure – an ancient vault containing immense riches from the extinct Eridia race. The vault can only be opened by a long-lost daughter of this civilization. In this quest, CEO Atlas (Edgar Tamirez) hires bounty hunter Lilith (Cate Blanchett) to locate his kidnapped daughter Tiny Tina (Ariana Greenblatt), who has been taken by the mercenary Roland (Kevin Hart). Additionally, muscle-bound Krieg (Florian Munteanu), scientist Tannis (Jamie Lee Curtis), and a peculiar robot named ClapTrap voiced by Jack Black (who’s voice is almost unrecognizable) join the adventure. Interestingly, ClapTrap’s name perfectly encapsulates the essence of the entire film.

Setting off, we embarked on an exhilarating journey, chasing the elusive vault amid a sequence of pulse-pounding episodes that bore striking resemblance to the lighter version of Mad Max’s apocalyptic landscapes. Amidst this chaos, several characters grapple with their own internal struggles. For instance, Lilith grapples with maternal concerns, while Tiny Tina wrestles with paternal issues. I can only imagine the uproar from the agents when they see how these roles unfold.

Eli Roth co-wrote and directed this film, marking a shift from his horror genre. While it’s well-made with rare flashes of the horror style that he excels in, as evidenced by ‘Thanksgiving’, it’s clear where his passion lies. After several years, ‘Borderlands’ has been released, and it may leave gamers frustrated, while cinema viewers might find this a puzzling, bloodless, and cluttered heist story.

Here’s the Borderlands trailer…..

2024-08-08 12:23

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