Borderlands review: One more video game fumbles its movie adaptation

As someone who’s spent countless hours looting, shooting, and laughing my way through the vibrant wastelands of Pandora in the Borderlands games, I can confidently say that the movie adaptation has found its own unique place in the borderland between good and mediocre. It’s not a cinematic masterpiece, but it’s far from a disaster.

As a diehard fan of the Borderlands series by Gearbox Software, I can confidently say it delivers on its promise. These games thrive in the spaces where worlds collide, be it the boundary between classic RPG elements and action-packed shooter dynamics, or the line between hilarious wit and clever gimmicks.

Similar to numerous other game series of its maturity, this franchise continually ventures into unanticipated territories. The Borderlands series, known for its narrative-driven style, has transformed into a Telltale-esque point-and-click adventure, a top-down iOS strategy game, and a high fantasy quest. However, with the Lionsgate movie adaptation Borderlands, directed by Eli Roth and featuring stars like Cate Blanchett (Tár), Jamie Lee Curtis (Everything Everywhere All at Once), Kevin Hart (Jumanji), Jack Black (The Super Mario Bros. Movie), and Ariana Greenblatt (Barbie), it’s attempting to step into a realm that has left even the most established video game franchises lost in the desolate wilderness.

Even in this case, Borderlands manages to strike a balance, which is remarkable yet regrettable. In other words, Borderlands the film is neither exceptionally good nor terrible, which is quite surprising.

Cate Blanchett plays the central role as Lilith, a hardened bounty hunter with a bitter outlook. She takes on a mission offered by the long-standing rulers of the Borderlands’ corporate world, Atlas. The task is too enticing to resist, but it requires her return to a place she detests – her home planet, Pandora. (The storyline of Borderlands may be unique, but all the main characters are based on game personas.)

Over time, shifts in loyalties occur, leading to a temporary union of an unusual ensemble. Among them are: Tiny Tina, a fugitive demolitionist (Greenblatt); Roland, who acts as her protector (Hart); the quirky scientist, Tannis (Curtis); and Jack Black lends his voice to Borderlands’ irritable robot character, Claptrap.

In a nutshell, “Borderlands” isn’t aimed at being an intelligent film; instead, it focuses on swiftly transitioning between essential plot developments and captivating environments. Roth, along with co-writer Joe Crombie, prioritizes speed over depth. The movie maintains an engaging pace without ever feeling slow, and the sets, despite being confined for a post-apocalyptic world, provide vibrant backdrops for energetic action sequences. The film’s portrayal of Pandora carries a distinctive style that is reminiscent of the visually striking elements from the Borderlands video games.

That style isn’t limited to the locations. The costumes are among the best I’ve seen in terms of bringing true gonzo video game character designs to the screen. Everybody in the main cast has the distinct, instantly clockable silhouette of a character-based shooter avatar, and they stay perfectly consistent for the movie’s whole runtime. (Shout-out to Cate Blanchett’s asymmetrical wig — it’s a work of magic.) Daniel Orlandi (Logan) nails the unrealism of Borderlands’ sartorial style, and does it all without giving everyone the squeaky-clean corporate cosplay look of actors staffing an E3 booth. (See: Warcraft, the movie.) I still couldn’t tell you how it works.

Amongst the actors, Cate Blanchett truly shines. With an uncanny instinct for the camera, she’s been transforming ordinary filming tasks into memorable cinematic moments since her roles in films like “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” and Guillermo del Toro’s “Nightmare Alley“. Even in the action-packed “Borderlands“, she demonstrates this skill. Each move she makes, in every shot of every action scene, seems tailored to the camera’s gaze as if a team of animators were posing her – her silhouette is sharp, her actions clear and rhythmic. She’s as effortlessly cool as a human version of the opening sequence from “Cowboy Bebop“. Hollywood, consider giving Cate Blanchett more action roles!

The clarity of action seen in the movie seems to be primarily due to Blanchett’s performance, as she’s the only one who appears exceptionally well on screen. Unfortunately, the film falls short in its storytelling, not quite delivering a fully coherent narrative that does justice to both the actress and the original material.

The storyline follows typical tropes of its genre, similar to movies like “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves”. However, there’s an unexpected turn in the plot (not a twist, more like a surprise swerve) that might leave some viewers questioning its connection to earlier revelations. Despite Roth and Crombie’s efforts to develop the characters and foster camaraderie among them, the emotional bond needed is somewhat lacking. This film could have benefited from an additional 10% of emotional depth or perhaps a less cerebral take on “The Fifth Element”, where audience engagement with the world-threatening situation might be improved.

If you’re seeking some light-hearted fun and Cate Blanchett’s charm during an afternoon, Borderlands might be just what you need. Compared to many other options, it’s definitely not the worst choice. Sometimes, turning off your brain for a movie isn’t a bad thing, especially when the movie is meant purely for entertainment. Borderlands falls into a tricky category: it’s neither an original production with a unique identity nor a mass-appeal adaptation. Navigating the boundary between these two types of films can be challenging. It’s a tough place to exist, the borderlands.

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2024-08-09 17:19