Adapting a beloved video game series into a feature film is no easy feat, but Borderlands, directed by Eli Roth, shows just how badly it can go wrong. Based on Gearbox Software’s zany, Mad Max-inspired RPG shooter, the film boasts an all-star cast led by Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, and Jack Black, but despite their best efforts, it fails to capture the chaotic charm and irreverent humor that made the games so iconic. What could have been a stylish, fun sci-fi romp instead feels like a loud, derivative, and ultimately empty spectacle.
The story follows Lilith (Cate Blanchett), a bounty hunter with a sharp tongue and even sharper aim, who is hired by the sinister corporate overlord Atlas (Edgar Ramirez) to retrieve his kidnapped daughter Tina (Ariana Greenblatt). Tina holds the key to opening a mysterious vault on Pandora, a planet teeming with danger, treasure, and quirky misfits. Along the way, Lilith teams up with Roland (Kevin Hart), a straight-laced soldier; Krieg (Florian Munteanu), a hulking psycho; and the sarcastic robot Claptrap (voiced by Jack Black). Together, they must thwart Atlas’ evil plans and navigate a series of chaotic set pieces that feel more like aimless missions than a cohesive narrative.
![](https://unrulyfolk.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/borderlands-2024-review-09-1024x576.jpg)
One of the biggest disappointments of Borderlands is its inability to translate the vibrant personality of its source material to the screen. The video games are known for their over-the-top humor, eclectic characters, and colorful design, but the film feels like a pale imitation. The jokes fall flat, the characters are underwritten, and the action sequences are clunky and uninspired. Roth’s direction, while competent in the horror genre, struggles to capture the frenetic energy and creativity required for a sci-fi adventure of this scale.
![](https://unrulyfolk.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/borderlands-2024-review-11-1024x430.jpg)
Cate Blanchett is undeniably talented, but even she can’t elevate the weak script. Her Lilith comes across as a generic “tough-as-nails” hero, with none of the complexity or charisma needed to anchor the film. Kevin Hart’s Roland is similarly lackluster, a character so underdeveloped that his presence feels inconsequential. Jack Black brings some energy as Claptrap, but the robot’s relentless one-liners quickly become grating. Ariana Greenblatt’s Tina, Jamie Lee Curtis’ Dr. Tannis, and the rest of the supporting cast feel like afterthoughts, with little to do beyond spouting exposition or serving as punchlines.
![](https://unrulyfolk.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/borderlands-2024-review-01-1024x427.jpg)
Visually, the film has its moments. The design of Pandora captures the dusty, lawless aesthetic of the games, with nods to the franchise’s iconic environments and creatures. However, the action sequences are poorly staged and edited, with confusing choreography and a lack of visceral impact. Even standout moments, like a battle set to Motörhead’s “Ace of Spades,” fail to deliver the excitement and spectacle that fans of the games might expect.
Adding insult to injury, the film leans heavily on tired tropes and comparisons to Guardians of the Galaxy. From the ragtag team dynamic to the retro needle-drops, Borderlands tries to mimic James Gunn’s success without understanding what made those films resonate. The result is a movie that feels derivative and uninspired, lacking the heart and wit necessary to stand on its own.
![](https://unrulyfolk.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/borderlands-2024-review-12-1024x430.jpg)
Perhaps the most damning aspect of Borderlands is its tonal inconsistency. While the games balance their absurd humor with moments of genuine emotion and clever storytelling, the film can’t seem to decide what it wants to be. Attempts at emotional resonance, like Lilith’s strained relationship with her mother or Tina’s arc, are half-baked and fail to land. Meanwhile, the humor is forced and juvenile, relying on stale gags and slapstick rather than the sharp, self-aware wit fans might expect.
Borderlands feels like a missed opportunity. With its rich world, memorable characters, and irreverent tone, the franchise had all the ingredients for a successful adaptation. Instead, it settles for a loud, shallow, and poorly executed spectacle that fails to do justice to its source material. For fans of the games, it’s a frustrating reminder of how difficult it can be to translate interactive experiences to the big screen. For everyone else, it’s just another forgettable misfire in the long history of video game movies.
![](https://unrulyfolk.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/borderlands-2024-review-05-1024x427.jpg)
TL;DR Review
Borderlands (2024)
Borderlands squanders its rich world and memorable characters, delivering a shallow, tonally inconsistent adaptation. Lacking the sharp humor and emotional depth of the games, it feels more like a noisy spectacle than a faithful tribute, disappointing fans and casual viewers alike.
Review Breakdown
-
Unruly Rating