Borderland Movie Reviews Rip It To Shreds

Eli Roth's highly anticipated Borderlands movie is poised for theatrical release, but early critical reception paints a bleak picture. Read on for a summary of initial reviews and what audiences can expect.

A Critical Miss, Despite Star Power

Early reviews of the Borderlands film adaptation are overwhelmingly negative. Critics, following early screenings, have voiced concerns across social media platforms, citing weak humor, unconvincing CGI, and a lackluster script as major flaws.

Edgar Ortega of Loud and Clear Reviews tweeted, "Borderlands feels like a clueless executive's idea of 'cool.' The humor falls flat, and the film lacks genuine emotional depth, resulting in a chaotic mess."

Darren Movie Reviews from Movie Scene Canada described it as "a baffling adaptation," praising the potential world-building but criticizing the rushed and uninspired screenplay, resulting in a disconnect between impressive set design and cheap-looking CGI.

However, not all reviews were entirely scathing. Kurt Morrison noted that Cate Blanchett and Kevin Hart's performances elevate the film, preventing it from being a complete disaster, though he doubts it will find a wide audience. The Hollywood Handle offered a slightly more positive assessment, calling it a "fun PG-13 action movie" carried by Blanchett's performance.

Despite a star-studded cast, the film—re-announced in 2020 after a period of inactivity—has faced skepticism from fans of the video game franchise.

As major publications release their full reviews in the coming days, audiences will soon have the opportunity to form their own opinions when Borderlands hits theaters on August 9th. In related news, Gearbox has hinted at a new Borderlands game.