Lionsgate’s film adaptation of Gearbox’s famed looter shooter, “Borderlands,” has now hit theaters across the nation. The movie blends elements from the original two “Borderlands” games, featuring Lilith (Cate Blanchett), a mercenary turned interplanetary sorceress, who joins forces with Roland (Kevin Hart), Tiny Tina (Ariana Greenblatt), Tannis (Jamie Lee Curtis), Krieg (Florian Munteanu), and Claptrap (Jack Black) to confront the nefarious CEO Atlas (Édgar Ramírez) of an evil weapons manufacturing empire.
The film has received largely unfavorable reviews, being criticized as a misstep among video game adaptations, especially following the successes of HBO’s “The Last of Us” series and the “Sonic the Hedgehog” films.
Peter Debruge of Variety remarked, “Blanchett provides a master class in making even the most absurd character seem believable. Although she avoids descending into camp, as she did in ‘Thor: Ragnarok,’ the film struggles to keep viewers engaged.
The movie attempts to give each character a moment of heroism, but it becomes clear as it progresses that the story’s direction is predictable. By the time ‘Borderlands’ reaches its climax, even the characters seem indifferent to what lies within the vault.”
With a rich history spanning seven mainline titles and numerous spinoffs, the “Borderlands” film includes several nods to the franchise. Among these are:
- The Infinity Pistol, a legendary weapon from “Borderlands 2,” is featured as Lilith’s weapon of choice, renowned in the game for its infinite ammo.
- Caustic Caverns, depicted as a confined sewer in the movie, is a vast and perilous area in the games, filled with dangerous creatures and hidden secrets.
- Marcus’ Van from the first game, used as a means of transportation to Pandora, appears in the film when Marcus picks up Lilith.
- Bloodshot Stronghold, a location in “Borderlands 2,” remains a menacing base for the Bloodshots in the movie.
- Sanctuary, the central hub in “Borderlands 2,” is mirrored in the film as a safe haven for Lilith and other Pandorans.
- The Vault, the ultimate treasure sought throughout the series, is the central objective in the film as Lilith’s team races against Atlas to prevent his malevolent use of its power.
- The Fire Hawk, Lilith’s alter ego with fiery powers, remains dormant until she accesses the vault.
- Atlas Corporation, a key antagonist in the first game’s DLC, is embodied by the CEO Atlas in the film.
- Badonkadonks, Tiny Tina’s explosive toys from “Borderlands 2,” are referenced in the movie.
- Moxxi’s Bar, a popular hangout in the games, serves as a refuge and guide for the heroes in the film.