Borderlands

Eli Roth's Borderlands is a film that exemplifies everything that's wrong with video game adaptations, stripping away the frenetic energy and vibrant chaos that made the original game series a fan favorite and leaving behind an empty shell of experience. From the outset, this project seemed doomed to failure, and the final product, marred by reshoots and creative compromises, confirms these fears in the most disheartening way possible.

From the outset, the film struggles to capture the very essence of what made the Borderlands games so compelling. The games were prized for their distinctive visual style, irreverent humor and fast-paced action, none of which translate effectively to the big screen. Instead, Eli Roth's adaptation looks like a pale imitation, a patchwork of poorly stitched ideas that never coalesce into anything meaningful. The chaotic energy of the source material is reduced to a series of disjointed elements that lack narrative coherence or emotional impact.

Cate Blanchett, an actress of undeniable talent and range, is woefully miscast as Lilith, the film's central protagonist. Although she brings a certain gravitas to the role, her performance is hampered by a script that gives her little to do. The character of Lilith, who should be a fierce and complex anti-heroine, is instead rendered flat and uninteresting, her motivations unclear and her dialogue stilted. Kate Blanchett's performance, which might have been a positive point in a different context, here seems disconnected and superficial, as if even she couldn't figure out what to do with the material she was given.

Kevin Hart's role as Roland, a stoic ex-soldier, is also perplexing. Kevin Hart, known for his comedic talents and energetic performances, is strangely subdued in this role, and the film doesn't seem to know how to use his talents. The decision to give Kevin ²Hart a serious, action-oriented role could have been interesting, but the execution falls flat. The script offers him no real opportunity for humor or depth, leaving him to settle for a role that doesn't at all match his strengths as an actor.

The supporting cast is no better off. Jack Black, usually a reliable source of comic relief, plays Claptrap, a character who should have been a sensation. Instead, Claptrap's incessant sarcasm and antics quickly become annoying, lacking the intelligence or charm that might have made the character endearing. The jokes fall flat, and Black's usual exuberance is spoiled by a script that seems more interested in appealing to a wide audience than staying true to the anarchic spirit of the games.

Visually, the film attempts to imitate the comic-book style characteristic of the games, but the results are uneven to say the least. The sets and costumes, while somewhat faithful to the original material, often look cheap and unconvincing. CGI, which should have been used to create a vivid, immersive world, instead comes across as slapdash and disappointing, with many scenes looking more like green-screen work than a fully-realized alien landscape. The planet Pandora, an essential setting for the games, is reduced to a generic backdrop, lacking the personality and danger that should make it a character in its own right.

The film's pacing is another major problem. Scenes follow one another with no concern for fluidity or continuity, disorienting the viewer who struggles to follow what's happening on screen. The action sequences, which should be the film's strong point, are poorly choreographed and inconsistently edited, making it difficult to follow the course of the battle or get invested in the stakes. The incessant barrage of gunfire and explosions quickly becomes tiresome, especially when the characters involved are so underdeveloped that it's hard to care about their plight.

Borderlands also suffers from a tone that goes off in all directions. The film can't decide whether it wants to be a gritty action movie, a dark comedy or a sci-fi epic, and as a result, it fails to be any of these things effectively. Attempts at humor seem forced and out of place, especially when juxtaposed with the more serious, dramatic moments, which are themselves undermined by a lack of emotional depth. The film's attempts to inject some heart into the story, notably through the relationship between Lilith and Tiny Tina, played by Ariana Greenblatt, fall flat due to poor character development and dialogue that's more awkward than touching.

What disappoints most about Borderlands is the way it squanders its potential. The original game series, while not without its flaws, was appreciated for its unique blend of humor, action and style. This adaptation, however, feels like a cynical grab-bag, designed to capitalize on brand name recognition without any real understanding or appreciation of what made the games special. The end result is a film that satisfies neither fans of the games nor moviegoers in general.

Borderlands is a frustratingly disjointed film. It's a missed opportunity on almost every level, from casting to directing to writing. What could have been a fun, irreverent romp through a colorful, chaotic universe is instead a tedious piece of work that's more likely to alienate viewers than entertain them. For a film based on a franchise known for its energetic, exuberant style, Borderlands is surprisingly dull and lifeless, a far cry from the adrenaline-filled, loot-filled adventure fans might have hoped for. The fact that it was showcased at San Diego Comic-con wasn't enough to make the film a box-office success.

Borderlands
Directed by Eli Roth
Written by Eli Roth, Joe Crombie
Story by Eli Roth
Based on Borderlands by Gearbox Software
Produced by Avi Arad, Erik Feig
Starring Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Edgar Ramírez, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Munteanu, Gina Gershon, Jamie Lee Curtis
Cinematography : Rogier Stoffers
Edited by Julian Clarke, Evan Henke
Music by Steve Jablonsky
Production companies: Media Capital Technologies, Arad Productions, Picturestart, Gearbox Studios, 2K
Distributed by Lionsgate (United States), SND (France)
Release dates : August 6, 2024 (TCL Chinese Theatre), August 7, 2024 (France), August 9, 2024 (United States)
Running time : 102 minutes

Seen on August 10, 2024 at Gaumont Disney Village, Room 3 seat A18

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