The release of Eli Roth’s “Borderlands” has raised concerns over its impact on the legacy of a beloved pop culture franchise. The adaptation fails to capture the essence of the games, resulting in a film that has been criticized as dull and poorly made. Shot years ago, the film now seems ill-suited for release.
In “Borderlands,” Cate Blanchett stars as Lilith, a character from the video game franchise. In this film, Lilith is portrayed as a bounty hunter approached by employees of the powerful Atlas, played by Edgar Ramirez, who offers her a lucrative job. The film humorously hints at the financial motivations behind Blanchett’s involvement in what appears to be a project beneath her talents.
Lilith’s mission involves rescuing Tina, the daughter of Atlas, who has been kidnapped by the renegade soldier Roland, played by Kevin Hart, and a character named Krieg, portrayed by Florian Munteanu. The quest for Tina ties into the search for a legendary vault on Pandora, a central theme in the games.
Upon her return to Pandora, Lilith encounters Claptrap, a robot voiced by Jack Black, intended as comic relief. However, the film largely lacks genuine humor, relying instead on excessive dialogue that fails to engage. Other game characters like Moxxi and Tannis, played by Gina Gershon and Jamie Lee Curtis respectively, also make brief appearances, though they are easy to overlook.
The film attempts to mirror the dynamics of the Guardians of the Galaxy, showcasing a team of outcasts on a distant planet using their unique strengths. However, the screenplay, penned by Roth and Joe Crombie, does not delve into the characters’ personalities, leaving them one-dimensional. While Blanchett brings some charisma to her role, Hart often appears disinterested, possibly reflecting the film’s long and troubled production history.