The first viewers were able to get a picture of the new movie from Borderlands. Actually, the film with its well-known actors and the popular franchise was supposed to be a huge hit. However, the first reviews show that the movie is probably a disappointment for the fans.
How is the movie received? On Metacritic, the movie scores only 29 out of a possible 100 points. So far, only 23 reviews have come in, but they show which direction the film is heading (as of August 9, 2024, at 8:00 AM).
Compared to the video games of the main Borderlands series, this is a bitter disappointment:
- The first part has a score of 84 points on Metacritic
- Borderlands 2 is the best installment in the main series with 89 points
- Borderlands 3 ranks last with 81 points but is still rated miles better than the film
On Rotten Tomatoes, things look even worse. The film initially landed at a record-breaking 0 percent. Now, 49 reviews have been submitted, bringing Borderlands to a recommendation rate of only 6 percent. The audience is somewhat more forgiving, as nearly half (48 percent) of over 50 critics recommend the film.
The first trailer for Borderlands was received negatively. Especially the casting was criticized. Kevin Hart should not have played the serious soldier Roland as a comedian.
You can find the trailer here:
The film adaptation of Borderlands is mostly receiving negative reviews
What is being criticized? The Guardian sees the problem as Borderlands targeting the wrong audience. With its “youthful humor, fast pace, and shaky handling of adult emotions,” the film is better suited for children. However, due to the brutality, children cannot watch it.
Other critics are just as ruthless:
- Toronto Star: “The ridiculous script is the worst thing about Borderlands, which is no small feat for such a bad film.”
- The Hollywood Reporter: “Since the characters remain one-dimensional – not much more than cartoonish gamer avatars – we are never particularly invested in their survival or their quest.”
- The Independent: “For the actors, it is a race to the bottom; each of them is completely miscast.”
- NYC Movie Guru: “A loud, silly, and overproduced mess.”
Is everything bad? In many reviews, Kate Blanchett’s performance as Lilith is praised. Her “sexy presence” is the only thing that carries the cast somewhat.
According to Screen Rant, Jack Black also plays a good role as Claptrap. His humor is a great addition to the cast. Additionally, the length of the film is pleasant, as there is currently a trend to produce overly long films.
Will you still watch Borderlands? Let us know in the comments what your thoughts on the new film are.
If you can’t get into the movie, that’s no problem. 2K is reportedly already working on a fourth installment of the series behind closed doors and wants to present it soon: Borderlands 4: First hints suggest a release of the next installment
