Borderland Film Rakes Critical Acclaim

Early critical response to Eli Roth's Borderlands movie adaptation is overwhelmingly negative, despite a star-studded cast. While some praise the performances, the film's overall reception is harsh. Let's delve into the initial reactions.

A Critical Mauling, Despite Stellar Cast

Critics have slammed Borderlands for its weak humor, unconvincing CGI, and a screenplay deemed uninspired and rushed. Edgar Ortega of Loud and Clear Reviews called it a "complete mess," criticizing the dated jokes and lack of genuine emotional depth. Darren Movie Reviews from Movie Scene Canada echoed these sentiments, labeling it a "baffling video game adaptation" that squandered its potential for compelling world-building due to its flaws.

However, not all reviews are entirely scathing. Kurt Morrison noted that Cate Blanchett and Kevin Hart's performances salvaged the film from being a complete disaster, though he doubts it will find a wide audience. The Hollywood Handle offered a slightly more positive assessment, describing it as a "fun PG-13 action movie" carried by Blanchett's performance.

Despite skepticism from fans of the game, the film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Cate Blanchett as Lilith, Kevin Hart as Roland, Ariana Greenblatt as Tiny Tina, Florian Munteanu as Krieg, Jamie Lee Curtis as Tannis, and Jack Black as Claptrap. The story follows Lilith's return to Pandora to find Atlas's missing daughter.

With major publications' reviews forthcoming, audiences will soon decide for themselves when Borderlands hits theaters on August 9th. Meanwhile, Gearbox has teased the possibility of a new Borderlands game.