Borderlands review: There’s no real spark to this bland video game adaptation

Borderlands review: There’s no real spark to this bland video game adaptation
2.0 out of 5 star rating

As a lifelong movie buff who’s survived countless blockbusters and B-movies alike, I must say, Borderlands left me feeling more stranded on Pandora than any of Lilith’s gang. This sci-fi romp, directed by Eli Roth, seemed to promise an exciting blend of action, humor, and the irreverence of its source material. Alas, it was more akin to a rollercoaster with no loops or drops – fun in theory, but lacking the thrill in practice.

In a playful twist, the action-packed space opera game adaptation Borderlands kicks off with a cheesy narration outlining its background: ancient superpowered beings, forsaken planet of chaos, hidden riches, and so forth. But instead of laboriously detailing it all, the game simply labels it as “zany nonsense!”

In essence, the next hour and a half can be seen as a miniature representation of the overall story (even though some might argue that there’s more narrative in the voiceover than the rest of the movie). To put it simply, Borderlands is an old-school sci-fi tale riding on a wave of humor that leans towards the irreverent and occasionally immature.

Under the guidance of Eli Roth, renowned for horror classics like Cabin Fever (2002) and Hostel (2005), Borderlands brings to life a story inspired by a popular series of first-person shooter games. Although it makes some adjustments to characters and plot points, the film maintains the visual style and humorous yet violent tone of its original material. This includes the chaotic action sequences, exaggerated backdrop, and the over-the-top weaponry that characterize the source game.

As a passionate moviegoer, I find myself immersed in an exhilarating narrative where Cate Blanchett, radiantly enjoying her debut action hero role, embodies Lilith – a formidable bounty hunter. Assigned to track down Tina, the abducted daughter of a shady and influential interstellar tycoon, I’m on a mission to locate her hidden away on the inhospitable planet of Pandora, a place notorious for its desolate landscapes and frequented only by ‘vault hunters’, who are in search of the fabled location of an extraordinary energy source.

Lilith’s home planet is also where she resides. This detail matters, not necessarily for a major plot twist, but as one of the few aspects that develop her character within the movie.

Primarily, the characters, such as the ex-soldiers in Lilith’s group, Roland (played by Kevin Hart) and Krieg (portrayed by Florian Munteanu), mainly engage in activities like firing weapons, kicking objects, and making a lot of noise.

In addition, there’s a humorous robot named Claptrap, with Jack Black providing his voice. As one might anticipate from a comedic character voiced by Jack Black, he can sometimes steal the show, but at other times, he may become rather annoying.

Describing it as having a thin storyline would be similar to labeling The Artist (2011) as having sparse dialogue. However, Borderlands moves at an incredibly fast speed and is packed with action, often rushing from one exciting scene to the next without much time for pause or respite.

These scenes are skillfully crafted, offering exciting action sequences captured nicely and supported by effective visual effects (except for a few instances near the conclusion. The quality control seems to have faltered slightly, resulting in some rather absurd, low-budget CGI during the climax, which is somewhat surprising given the budget constraints).

The design of the sets and overall visual aesthetic is equally remarkable, showing a level of detail in world creation that’s not fully reflected in the written dialogue.

The actors deliver outstanding performances, even with limited resources, as Cate Blanchett and the reliable Jamie Lee Curtis portray their roles as nervous scientists exceptionally well, going beyond what’s expected from them.

As a die-hard fan, I must admit that while the movie is jam-packed with nonstop action and humor, it seems to lack the genuine fire that makes a film truly captivating. There’s an uncanny sense of mechanical precision, as if every scene was meticulously crafted in a factory instead of being born from passion.

As a fan, I can’t help but notice a resemblance to the quirky, action-packed style of James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and The Suicide Squad (2021), minus the explicit language. However, unlike those films that effortlessly blend humor with heart and unexpected twists, this movie seems to lack the same depth and cleverness.

The disorder here seems more fabricated, the humor lacks subtlety. To put it bluntly, it employs the phrase “Let’s take action!” without a trace of sarcasm or wit.

As a cinephile, I’d say this film delivers an unremarkable, mechanically effective action experience that innocuously fills its duration without leaving much of a lasting impact. It’s almost like watching a snow globe spinning in a dryer for 90 minutes.

Borderlands is now showing in UK cinemas.

2024-08-08 13:04

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