Borderland Movie Reviews Under Fire

The highly anticipated Borderlands film, directed by Eli Roth, is poised for theatrical release, but early critical reception paints a decidedly bleak picture. Read on for a summary of the initial reviews and what audiences can expect.

A Critical Mauling, Despite Star Power

Early reviews for Roth's Borderlands adaptation have been overwhelmingly negative. Critics, following early screenings across the US, have taken to social media to express their disappointment. Common criticisms include weak humor, unconvincing CGI, and a lackluster script.

Edgar Ortega of Loud and Clear Reviews tweeted, "Borderlands feels like what an out-of-touch executive thinks the ‘cool kids’ find appealing. No earnest character moments, just obnoxious, dated quips. It's not even 'so bad it's good,' just a mess."

Darren Movie Reviews from Movie Scene Canada called it "a baffling video game adaptation," praising the potential world-building but criticizing the rushed and dull screenplay, noting that "the set design is impressive, but the film looks cheap due to poor CGI."

However, not all reviews were entirely scathing. Film critic Kurt Morrison stated, "Blanchett and Hart are having fun & save this from being a complete trainwreck," but added, "it’ll be a surprise if this film finds an audience." The Hollywood Handle offered a slightly more positive assessment: "Borderlands is a fun PG-13 action movie. It relies heavily on Cate Blanchett's star power, and she delivers."

Revived by Gearbox in 2020 after a period of inactivity, the Borderlands movie boasts a stellar cast, despite initial fan skepticism.

The film follows Cate Blanchett as Lilith, returning to Pandora to find Atlas's missing daughter (Edgar Ramirez). She teams up with a group of misfits: Kevin Hart as Roland, Ariana Greenblatt as Tiny Tina, Florian Munteanu as Krieg, Jamie Lee Curtis as Tannis, and Jack Black as Claptrap.

As major publications release their full reviews in the coming days, audiences can judge for themselves when Borderlands hits theaters on August 9th. Meanwhile, Gearbox has hinted at a new Borderlands game.