Borderland Movie Reviews Rip It To Shreds

Eli Roth's highly anticipated Borderlands movie is about to hit theaters, but early critical reaction is overwhelmingly negative. Let's delve into the initial reviews and what moviegoers can expect.

A Critical Mauling: Even the Stars Can't Save It?

The live-action adaptation of Gearbox's popular video game has received a barrage of scathing reviews following early screenings. Critics cite weak humor, unconvincing CGI, and a poorly written script as major flaws.

Edgar Ortega of Loud and Clear Reviews tweeted, "Borderlands feels like a clueless executive's idea of 'cool.' No genuine character moments, just tired, instantly dated jokes. It's not even a 'so bad it's good' situation; it's just a mess."

Darren Movie Reviews (Movie Scene Canada) called it "a baffling adaptation," praising the potential for world-building, but criticizing the "rushed and dull screenplay." He noted that despite impressive set design, poor CGI makes the film look cheap.

However, not all reviews were entirely damning. Kurt Morrison highlighted Cate Blanchett and Kevin Hart's performances as saving the film from complete disaster, though he doubts it will find a wide audience. The Hollywood Handle offered a slightly more positive assessment, describing it as a "fun PG-13 action movie" carried by Blanchett's star power.

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

With major publications set to release their full reviews soon, audiences will have their own opportunity to judge when Borderlands opens in theaters on August 9th. Meanwhile, Gearbox has teased a new Borderlands game.