MyAxom Reviews: Borderlands (English) Review {2.0/5} & Review Rating
Star Cast: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Ariana Greenblatt
Director: Eli Roth
Borderlands Movie Review Synopsis:
BORDERLANDS unfolds the tale of a group of misfits on a mission to rescue a girl endowed with extraordinary powers. The plot follows Roland (Kevin Hart), a renegade mercenary, as he abducts a young girl named Tiny Tina, aided by Krieg (Florian Munteanu), a fellow inmate in the same facility where Tina is held captive. Meanwhile, Atlas (Edgar Ramírez), a prominent corporate figure, reaches out to Lilith (Cate Blanchett) on the planet Cytherea to help locate Tina, his daughter. As Lilith journeys to Pandora, her home planet, she encounters a robot named Claptrap (voiced by Jack Black), who has a mysterious connection to her. Together, they strive to find Tina, leading to a confrontation with Atlas’ private army, the ‘Crimson Lance.’ As the group unites to rescue Tina, they uncover the potential secrets of the legendary ‘Vault,’ a source of limitless power, shaping the climax of the narrative.
Borderlands Movie Story Review:
Eli Roth’s narrative in “Borderlands” shows promise, although the screenplay by Eli Roth and Joe Crombie tends to lean towards clichés, mirroring other films in the genre. The dialogue sometimes gets lost in the overwhelming sound effects, and the absence of subtitles from PVR Inox Pictures raises questions in comparison to other studios.
Roth’s direction grapples with a lackluster script, managing to capture grandeur in some scenes, such as Lilith and Tina’s initial meeting or Roland’s memorable car scene. The film surprises with an unexpected twist in its climax.
However, “Borderlands” echoes echoes familiar tones of films like GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, MAD MAX, and DUNE. Characters like Claptrap bear resemblance to Wall-E, while Krieg’s persona seems like a blend of Groot and Drax from GUARDIANS. The film lacks substantial humor and falters in character development.
Borderlands Movie Review Performances:
The performances in “Borderlands” salvage the film to some degree. Cate Blanchett delivers a commanding portrayal, exuding charisma in action sequences. Ariana Greenblatt impresses with her portrayal of a challenging character. Kevin Hart and Florian Munteanu offer decent performances, while Jamie Lee Curtis (Dr. Patricia Tannis) has limited scope in her role. Edgar Ramírez delivers an adequate performance, and Jack Black attempts to inject humor, albeit hindered by the dialogues.
Borderlands Music and Other Technical Aspects:
Steve Jablonsky’s music serves its purpose effectively. Rogier Stoffers’ cinematography is polished, enhancing the visual appeal. Daniel Orlandi’s costumes are visually appealing, while Andrew Menzies’ production design lacks innovation. The VFX and action sequences stand out, showcasing top-notch quality. Julian Clarke and Evan Henke’s editing is seamless.
Borderlands Movie Review Conclusion:
“Borderlands” falls short as a film, lacking in humor and presenting uncanny resemblances to existing hits like GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, MAD MAX, and DUNE. Despite any offers at the box office, the film is likely to face challenges in garnering substantial success.