As a long-time enthusiast of the Borderlands series, I must admit that my initial excitement for the upcoming movie has waned significantly after reading this insightful critique. The writer’s points about the humor falling flat and the failure to capture the essence of Pandora resonated deeply with me, as I too have been left feeling underwhelmed by the trailers so far.
Lionsgate Pictures’ film “Borderlands” hit the screens on August 9th, a delay that felt like eternity since its initial announcement. It might not be surprising if some people weren’t aware of it; with so much buzz around other releases, this one seemed to slip under many radars. The trailers revealed, however, that it was destined for disaster, which turned out to be true as it earned just $8.8 million in its opening weekend on a budget of $110-120 million – a catastrophic loss. If this were the new game from Gearbox, they might have had to let go of staff or shut down operations altogether.
The feedback on Borderlands hasn’t been particularly favorable. Out of 99 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, only 9% (that’s right, 9%) have given it a positive rating. On Metacritic, the game has an average Metascore of 27 based on 31 critical reviews. The critics have raised concerns about its pacing, dialogue, and poor humor, but some argue that it’s too predictable.
Critics argue that the movie adaptation of Borderlands doesn’t fully capture the game’s over-the-top insanity and gore, which is ironic given that Mad Max served as a major inspiration for the game. In fact, PC Gamer went so far as to say that if this was an attempt to correct the trend of movie adaptations falling short, Borderlands still doesn’t measure up to the 1993 Super Mario Bros. film.
To put it simply, the progress of the “Borderlands” movie has been quite unpredictable since its announcement in 2015. Changes in screenwriters, script revisions, reshoots, and even a change in the composer have marked its production journey. This kind of back-and-forth is not unusual in Hollywood, but it remains uncertain whether the final product will be worth watching, given the delays and potential cancellations seen in projects like Warner Bros.’ “Coyote vs. Acme” or “Batgirl.”
When production processes take a long time, studios sometimes choose to release a movie that’s been delayed for quite some time, even if the quality is questionable (as was the case with Borderlands). Many people might not realize that it has been in development for such a prolonged period. It’s worth noting that the franchise reached its zenith with Borderlands 2 back in 2012. Upon its release in 2019, Borderlands 3 performed well financially but received heavy criticism from both fans and critics for its poor dialogue, storytelling flaws, plot inconsistencies, and stiff character portrayals.
If you’ve seen the movie, even just the trailers or have some understanding of its plot, it becomes evident that the filmmakers aren’t strictly adapting any specific game story. Instead, they use characters, settings, recognizable weapons and vehicles, then weave them into a narrative loosely based on the first game. This is just one of many issues in the movie.
Initially, the characters in this story are Roland, Tiny Tina, Krieg, and Lilith. Pause for a moment and ponder where this story might take place. It’s essential to know that Lilith, who is a bounty hunter, has been hired by the Atlas Corporation to save Tiny Tina. The reason behind this is that Tina is the daughter of Atlas. Interestingly, Lilith hails from Pandora but hasn’t returned to the planet since her childhood. Rest assured, you’re not misinterpreting the original game’s plot; the film adaptation simply doesn’t do it justice.
Things only worsen when it’s revealed that Tina is supposedly created from the Eridians’ genetic material. The only reason Atlas wants her is to open the Vault on Pandora. There’s some hint of the Destroyer inside by the end, and oh, Tannis is Lilith’s foster mother. I won’t spoil the grand “twist” but suffice it to say that the handling of the Eridians and the Sirens is bizarre.
Apart from the questionable narrative and its seemingly random use of themes and storylines from the series, the acting leaves much to be desired. Cate Blanchett showcases her undeniable talent, adding an air of sophistication to a project that appears rather shabby. Unfortunately, this only serves to emphasize how subpar everything else seems in contrast.
While I acknowledge that Kevin Hart does a good job with Roland’s role, he’s still not the ideal pick if we consider the depth of Roland’s character. Jamie Lee Curtis seems underutilized in her limited part, and even Jack Black as Claptrap doesn’t seem to fit perfectly. These are well-known actors on paper, but as movies like Dolittle and The Suicide Squad have demonstrated, star power alone doesn’t ensure success, especially when talent isn’t utilized effectively, as seems to be the case with Borderlands.
Initially, there’s the humor aspect. Perhaps due to my growing familiarity with the series, I find myself unaffected by the jokes presented in the trailers so far. Ideally, the comedy should be outrageous and unconventional, resembling a low-budget version of movies like “Suicide Squad” or “Guardians of the Galaxy.” However, it seems overly sanitized, bland, and lacking impact instead. This leaves me questioning, “Why?” It’s not entirely surprising, considering the inconsistent quality of films that have emerged from Hollywood over time.
Upon revisiting the first version of Borderlands, it may not immediately impress you with its exceptional storytelling or character development. However, apart from the Vault Hunters, memorable characters like Marcus, Dr. Zed, and the Pandora-roaming Psychos are worth mentioning. The dialogue in this game isn’t as polished or impactful as that of the second installment, but it still gets the job done effectively.
Despite a light-hearted, almost comical veneer, the game carried an undertone of dark humor that gave depth to the experience. It was populated with human-like characters and situations, making it feel real and engaging. The looting, shooting, and action were entertaining, while the Vault held genuine interest and mystery. Although some found the cliffhanger ending frustrating (it did effectively set up the sequel), Gearbox skillfully revealed Pandora’s rich lore without overwhelming players.
Turning these events into a movie is challenging because you’re not a Vault Hunter experiencing the chaos alongside Pandora’s inhabitants. Instead, you’re merely an observer. Unfortunately, this observation often feels dreadful, with moments of unexpected dullness. It fails to unveil new revelations or immerse the audience in the series’ captivating aspects and lore, leaving many elements untouched.
Additionally, it fails to appeal to fans who enjoy the games, especially considering the dissatisfaction many felt towards the storyline in Borderlands 3. Imagine if Lionsgate chose to create an animated film centered around the first game, emphasizing its chaotic aspects. If executed skillfully, it could rekindle the fondness fans had for the series initially. Furthermore, aligning it with whatever Borderlands 4 becomes would provide a powerful promotional asset.
Certainly, the key point is that “If properly executed,” Borderlands isn’t doomed due to its production issues, questionable casting, weak script, misinterpretation of the franchise, and so on. Instead, it’s a resounding failure because it takes game elements and packages them in a conventional Hollywood blockbuster template, failing to evoke the unique essence that made the games popular.
It might be unfair to criticize this video game adaptation, given the high standards set by shows like HBO’s “The Last of Us” and Amazon’s “Fallout.” After all, production began in 2015. At that time, Lionsgate could not have foreseen the negative reception it would face upon release.
Regardless, it’s impractical to ask anyone to pay for watching it in any given year. In essence, it underscores the fact that businesses can take an adaptation – even one as simple as Borderlands – and, somehow or other, make a mess of it so badly that it’s unrecognizable.
As a seasoned writer for GamingBolt, I must clarify that the opinions presented in this article are solely my own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization. My personal views have been shaped by years of immersion in the gaming world, where I’ve had the privilege of experiencing diverse perspectives and engaging with passionate gamers from around the globe. It is essential to maintain this distinction between individual opinions and collective representation, ensuring fairness and accuracy in our coverage.
Read More
- JASMY PREDICTION. JASMY cryptocurrency
- LDO PREDICTION. LDO cryptocurrency
- Top gainers and losers
- LOKA PREDICTION. LOKA cryptocurrency
- ELK PREDICTION. ELK cryptocurrency
- LUNA PREDICTION. LUNA cryptocurrency
- WOOF PREDICTION. WOOF cryptocurrency
- GOAL PREDICTION. GOAL cryptocurrency
- BOO PREDICTION. BOO cryptocurrency
- CTC PREDICTION. CTC cryptocurrency
2024-08-13 14:42