Cate Blanchett stars as Lilith, a popular character from the video game series, in the film adaptation “Borderlands.” This project has been in the works for some time, well before her acclaimed role in “TAR” and the production of “Thanksgiving” by Eli Roth. In the story, Lilith, a skilled bounty hunter, is approached by Atlas (played by Edgar Ramirez), who offers her a lucrative job. The high paycheck entices Lilith, leading to reflections on whether Blanchett also received a significant amount for a role that may not showcase her full talents.
The mission involves retrieving Tina (Ariana Greenblatt), the kidnapped daughter of Atlas, from Roland (Kevin Hart), a rogue soldier. He has escaped to the planet Pandora with Tina and a character named Krieg (Florian Munteanu), and Tina is believed to hold the key to a legendary vault, which has sparked the interest of treasure hunters.
Upon arriving on Pandora, Lilith meets Claptrap, a robot character voiced by Jack Black, intended to add comedic elements to the film, though these moments often miss the mark. Fans will also recognize other game characters, such as Moxxi (Gina Gershon) and Tannis (Jamie Lee Curtis), with minor appearances from Scooter and Hammerlock that are easily overlooked.
The dynamic among Lilith, Roland, Tannis, Claptrap, and Krieg draws parallels to the “Guardians of the Galaxy,” showcasing a group of misfits banding together to face challenges. However, the script penned by Roth and Joe Crombie neglects to develop these characters meaningfully. While Blanchett’s performance brings charm to the role, Hart appears disinterested, possibly a result of the film’s extensive reshoots. The original screenplay was credited to Craig Mazin, known for his work on “Chernobyl” and “The Last of Us,” but he removed his name following the reshoots. The film’s tumultuous production is evident, leading to a finished product that feels disjointed and lacking depth.