‘Borderlands’ Movie Review: Hit or Miss?

Eli Roth’s adaptation of ‘Borderlands’ makes a bold attempt to capture the essence of the popular Gearbox game series, and it mostly succeeds in delivering that unique spirit. The film follows Lilith (Cate Blanchett), a bounty hunter summoned back to her home planet, Pandora, by the tech billionaire Atlas (Edgar Ramírez). Her mission? To rescue Atlas’s daughter Tina (Ariana Greenblatt) from the clutches of the villainous Roland (Kevin Hart).

Along her journey, Lilith encounters a variety of characters, including Claptrap (Jack Black), a robot programmed for protection, Krieg (Florian Munteanu), a Psycho with a soft spot for Tina, and Tannis (Jamie Lee Curtis), a long-lost friend.

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The cast is impressive, and the actors dive deep into their roles, adding layers to the film’s heightened reality. Blanchett stands out with her commanding presence from the opening scenes to the final moments, making her involvement a key highlight. Curtis, Black, Greenblatt, and Munteanu also bring their A-game, contributing to the film’s overall charm. The production design and costumes are spot-on, faithfully representing the ‘Borderlands’ universe without crossing into parody.

However, the film does have its flaws. It speeds through key plot points, leaving some character relationships underdeveloped. The script, while engaging, could have benefitted from a bit more depth. For instance, the potential for a powerful mother-daughter dynamic between Tannis and Lilith feels underexplored.

Similarly, Krieg’s protective bond with Tina is touching but lacks the screen time needed to fully resonate. Even the supporting characters, like Commander Knoxx (Janina Gavankar) and Moxxi (Gina Gershon), seem somewhat neglected, with their stories barely scratched.

The film’s brisk pace, while keeping it tight at just over an hour and a half, sometimes sacrifices depth for speed. This results in a few jokes falling flat due to insufficient setup and underdeveloped character arcs. Despite these issues, ‘Borderlands’ remains an enjoyable film that taps into the franchise’s essence and delivers an entertaining experience. Here’s hoping for a sequel that takes the time to explore Pandora’s rich universe a bit more thoroughly.