Even the most dedicated fans of Borderlands are struggling to see the positives in the first movie adaptation of the game franchise.
Despite being announced in 2020, Lionsgate Films’ Borderlands adaptation didn’t hit theaters until August 9, 2024. Despite the lengthy gestation period, the project did not guarantee any major successes.
Despite initially receiving a 0 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes after its first reviews were published, Borderlands has only managed to reach a low 6 percent based on 72 critic reviews. The audience score has also struggled, barely reaching a 50 percent rating.
Despite the franchise’s reputation for wild and wacky antics, the film received harsh criticism for falling short and opting for a dull action-comedy instead. This sentiment is also echoed by fans of the games, who share a similar perspective.
Redditor and devoted Borderlands enthusiast Tonicpunch took it upon themselves to share their thoughts on the film, expressing disappointment in its lack of faithfulness to the original source material. They likened it to a run-of-the-mill action flick, with unremarkable weapons and Borderlands branding simply slapped on.
One of the film’s biggest issues, according to the Redditor, is its depiction of the main characters. They criticize the fact that the characters in the film do not have the same personalities as they do in the games. Specifically, the Redditor points out that Tiny Tina seems to lack the wild and carefree energy that she is known for, instead being portrayed as a typical bomb expert.
Despite Jack Black’s casting, Claptrap’s characterization still falls short due to poorly written jokes that fail to fit in with the game’s series.
Despite initial excitement surrounding Kevin Hart’s casting as Roland, it has faced considerable backlash from both critics and fans. Tonicpunch, in particular, has criticized Hart’s “wisecracking”portrayal of the typically stoic soldier character, arguing that it injects an excess of energy into the role.
Both a fan of Borderlands and a user on Twitter/X shared the same opinion. “I have a strong preference for Roland as a character in Borderlands, but casting 5’2″Kevin Hart as the towering soldier boy was a questionable choice.”
Thanks to successful releases such as The Last of Us, Twisted Metal, and Fallout, Borderlands has effectively revitalized the reputation of video game adaptations.
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