When fans line up outside the theatre, snapping selfies with cosplayers and buzzing with excitement, you’d expect the movie to be a total banger. And if not a smash hit, at least something worth the popcorn. But despite the gamers’ love-hate relationship with video game adaptations, that thrill fizzles out faster than a flat soda as soon as the credits roll.
Now, I’m no gamer, but I do have a soft spot for action and sci-fi flicks. I genuinely enjoyed Uncharted, The Lost City, and Jumanji. So, when it comes to Borderlands, let’s just say… it missed the target. Big time.
The Plot
The story follows Lilith (played by Cate Blanchett), an infamous bounty hunter who returns to her home planet for a mission, only to stumble upon the true purpose of her existence. Sounds fun, right? Or maybe… not.
The plot is straightforward and moves at a decent pace, but the excitement peters out midway thanks to a dry script. It’s a chaotic, unfinished adaptation that fails to capture the essence of gaming—or any thrill, for that matter. For both hardcore fans and newcomers, it’s a bumpy ride.
Beyond a few scattered moments, the movie hits a dead end when it comes to entertainment. Gunfights and chaos, that’s Borderlands in a nutshell.
You’d expect some hoots and cheers, especially during the grand entrances or big fight scenes. But Borderlands? Apart from a few chuckles, the audience’s reaction was more bland than exciting.
Entertainment, Please?
Yes, I went to watch a movie after a long, exhausting day. Don’t I deserve a little entertainment? Well, there was some, but emphasis on “little.”
With a star-studded cast like Kevin Hart, Blanchett, and Jamie Lee Curtis, you’d think the movie would at least be a comedy goldmine if not a narrative masterpiece.
But sitting through the whole thing felt more like a chore. You’d hope the action scenes would inject some energy, but they were so busy making the lead look ‘cool’ that it felt more like a live stream of someone gaming than an actual movie.
Finding the vault might bring peace to Pandora, but it sure didn’t bring any to the audience. Turns out, adapting a game that launched in 2009 more than a decade later may have been a mistake. Some things are better left in the past.
All in all, the most entertaining part of this whole Borderlands experience was watching Cate Blanchett strut around in that viral “spoon” outfit during the promo tour. It was quirky, memorable, and had more personality than the entire film.
If only Borderlands had been half as daring or creative as that fashion statement, we might have had something truly worth talking about. Instead, the outfit stole the spotlight, leaving the movie itself in the dust.
