#REVIEW: “BORDERLANDS”

By Mr. Will Wong

Fans of the Gearbox Software video game BORDERLANDS should be excited about its star-studded fillm adaptation, but it might be expecting a bit much of the general moviegoing public that knows little about the source material to be invested.

Set in a future dystopian society – Pandora – Eli Roth‘s BORDERLANDS is a raucous, chaotic ride with a bit of heart at its central story.  This Film centers on Lilith (Cate Blanchett), a tough outlaw and bounty hunter, who’s tasked with by the unliked Atlas (Edgar Ramirez) to find his estranged daughter, Tiny Tina (Ariana Greenblatt).

Despite not getting along, the two strike a bond as Lilith and a band of colourful misfits team together to protect her. Why? Because she could  unlock the vault to some otherwordly superpowers. Tiny Tina is irrational and bratty and if others don’t get to her, she might find a way to destroy those who are trying to protect her. Along the way, Lilith is forced to confront some uncomfortable feelings from the past including feelings of abandonment from her own mother (Haley Bannett) as a child.

BORDERLANDS is probably Eli Roth’s least “Eli Roth” film. Typically, we can expect over-the-top gore and violence, with a dash of Comedy and that is his brand.  Tonally, BORDERLANDS looks the part and feels of an action-packed violent fantastical adventure, but never quite hits the mark in its humour and that’s the missing ingredient here.

Despite being supported by some funny heavyweights like Jack Black and Kevin Hart. That is not to say that its heart isn’t i the right place. The Film is making a statement about overcoming past trauma and not inflicting that upon the next generation. We absolutely adore Blanchett, but this felt a bit out of her comfort zone and range, getting the drama of her role, but missing the mark in what should have been a fun, wild ride.

Cineplex Pictures release BORDERLANDS Friday, August 9, 2024.