Eli Roth’s ‘Borderlands’: What the Critics Are Saying

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Eli Roth’s ‘Borderlands’: What the Critics Are Saying

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen my fair share of video game adaptations – some that made me proud to be a part of the gaming community, and others that left me scratching my head in disbelief. The latter category is where Eli Roth’s “Borderlands” unfortunately lands.

Lionsgate’s movie adaptation of Borderlands will be released in theaters on August 9, but a premature review ban was lifted on Thursday, revealing that initial critic responses have been overwhelmingly negative.

A movie version based on Gearbox Software’s well-known video game series, directed by Eli Roth, is set on the planet Pandora and follows a group of rule-breaking oddballs. In this film, you’ll see Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Ariana Greenblatt, and Jamie Lee Curtis in action, while Jack Black lends his voice to a humorous robot character.

By Thursday night, the aggregate review sites have given poor ratings to the film ‘Borderlands’. On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie’s rating stands at a dismal 6% from 45 reviews. Thankfully, the audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is significantly higher at 51%. Unfortunately, the critic score on Metacritic was 29 out of 100 based on 23 reviews and things didn’t improve on Letterboxd, where users rated ‘Borderlands’ a mere 2.1 out of 5.

Below are key excerpts from some of the most prominent early reviews.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but express my disappointment upon reading David Rooney’s critique in The Hollywood Reporter about “Borderlands”. He raises an intriguing question: how such a film filled with a powerhouse cast like ours could turn into a noisy nothing. Upon closer inspection, it seems that the production underwent significant changes, as suggested by Rooney.

In a one-star review for the New York Post, Johnny Oleksinski criticizes the film “Borderlands,” stating it as a significant mistake for the talented actress Cate Blanchett. He suggests that if he were in Blanchett’s position, he would employ a top-tier team to erase all traces of the movie from the internet due to its embarrassing nature. Oleksinski was not impressed on any front, finding fault with the acting, script, direction, and design of the film.

Jake Kleinman, in an article for Inverse, didn’t hold back his criticism towards Borderlands. He stated that the story lacked depth as motivations were not convincing, characters were one-dimensional, and the plot progression was swift, resembling a gamer hastily clicking through dialogues to advance to the next level. However, he acknowledged that with Cate Blanchett in the lead role of an action movie, it’s hard not to find it entertaining to watch; despite the abundance of CGI-heavy films these days, Borderlands deserves praise for creating a lively post-apocalyptic setting. Regrettably, all these elements combined make it feel like a less humorous version of Guardians of the Galaxy.

In a critique for The Daily Beast, Nick Schager questions Cate Blanchett’s choices with the film “Borderlands.” Previously known for strong video game adaptations, Schager believes this trend has ended with “Borderlands.” He notes that Gearbox Software’s games were action-heavy and light on story, and director Roth follows this pattern to a repetitive extent. Compared to James Gunn’s beloved Guardians of the Galaxy, Roth’s production lacks emotional depth, originality in storytelling, and sharp humor. Instead, it relies on copied concepts and uninspired execution, which ultimately lead to its disappointing and spectacular downfall.

In an article for The New York Times, Amy Nicholson initiates her review of the film “Borderlands” with queries regarding its co-writer, implying that many of the movie’s issues may have stemmed from production complications. While Nicholson avoids a complete scathing critique, she expresses a sense of dissatisfaction. In her words, “Although you can see the humor, most of it falls flat. However, there are some creative visual elements if you look closely.” Nicholson also commends Blanchett as one of the film’s bright spots, stating that “The two-time Academy Award winner perseveres through the chaos by embodying a warrior on a campy propaganda poster.”

In a review that’s somewhat split, Dan Jolin from Empire notes that this film falls short when compared to Guardians of the Galaxy, but it still manages to evoke some of the charm found in the MCU trilogy. Unfortunately, the script is not well-received. According to Jolin, the writers, Roth and Joe Crombie, lack the wit and wisdom of James Gunn. The jokes feel stale, the attempts at emotional depth seem forced (Lilith, portrayed by Cate Blanchett, struggles with mother issues), and the chemistry between characters is unbalanced. Jack Black lends his voice to an annoying robot character who constantly makes cheesy comments.

In summary, Taylor Gates from Collider appreciated the film “Borderlands” for its action sequences, particularly the fight scenes involving Ariana Greenblatt, Jack Black, and Jamie Lee Curtis. However, Gates pointed out that while the movie excels in delivering action-adventure, it falters due to pacing issues. Despite being shorter than many contemporary films, the rapid resolution of plotlines comes across as hasty rather than efficient, compromising clarity, tension, and overall impact.

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2024-08-09 04:54