As a cinephile who has spent decades immersed in the world of cinema, I must say that the upcoming release of Eli Roth’s ‘Borderlands‘ has left me feeling rather apprehensive. Having witnessed the evolution of video game adaptations over the years, from the triumphant highs of ‘The Last of Us’ to the dismal lows of countless others, I can’t help but feel a sense of dread when faced with yet another attempt to bring a beloved franchise to the big screen.
As a long-time fan of the Borderlands video game franchise, I was eagerly anticipating the release of Eli Roth’s movie adaptation this weekend. Having spent countless hours exploring the vibrant and chaotic world of Pandora, I had high hopes for the film. Unfortunately, after attending the world premiere in Los Angeles last night, I must say that I left the theater feeling disappointed.
After the airing of Borderlands on August 6, responses on X (previously known as Twitter) have been quick and critical, labeling the adaptation as a toned-down PG-13 version compared to the R-rated game they cherish. User @edgorteg describes it as a “disorganized chaos” filled with “grating one-liners.”
AdriCaporusso took things a step beyond, branding Borderlands as a “catastrophe riddled with every worn-out trope imaginable.”
Even though Nick van Dinther went into the movie without any preconceived notions, surprisingly, he was still disappointed. Oh dear!
At MovieSceneCan, there was a slightly more benevolent tone as they commended the performances of Cate Blanchett and Daisy Edgar-Jones. However, they acknowledged that despite their efforts, they couldn’t rescue the film titled “Borderlands“.
Lastly, we come to @ShakExcellence, who deemed Eli Roth’s latest production as the most disappointing film of the year. It might be that they haven’t had a chance to watch Madame Web, yet.
It’s Not All Doom and Gloom for Borderlands
First introduced in 2015, the movie adaptation of Borderlands has had quite a journey before reaching the big screen. Initially, Leigh Whannell (known for his work on Saw and Insidious) was selected to direct by producers Ari and Avi Arad. However, Craig Mazin’s script never made it past the initial stages. By 2020, Eli Roth had been brought in by Lionsgate to move things forward, collaborating on the script with Joe Crombie. The casting process was quick, and filming began in 2021, with Blanchett also diving into the games to enhance her acting decisions.
Despite the high expectations raised by recent video game adaptations like The Last of Us and Twisted Metal, it’s not all gloom for Borderlands. Although most reactions have been negative, there is some positive buzz on social media. For instance, @HollywoodHandle has labeled it a “fun PG-13 action movie.”
According to @theatomreview, Borderlands is a movie that appeals greatly to many people. Moreover, they particularly admire the portrayal of Jack Black’s character, Claptrap.
As a film enthusiast who’s been eagerly waiting for the big screen adaptation of Borderlands, I must admit that the initial feedback has left me somewhat concerned. Despite my personal excitement, the overwhelming majority of responses have been negative thus far. It’s challenging to imagine that die-hard fans of the video game franchise will find contentment in this film version. The dream of creating a new cinematic universe similar to those at Gearbox seems distant, as things stand now. Only time will tell if Borderlands can turn things around and live up to our expectations.
Borderlands
opens nationwide on August 9, 2024, and you can check out the trailer below.
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2024-08-07 19:01