It’s official: “Borderlands,” the film adaptation of the popular Gearbox Software video game, is headed to theaters after completing principal photography in 2021. Helmed by horror expert Eli Roth, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Joe Crombie, this movie arrives during a renaissance of video game adaptations like “Fallout” on Prime Video and “The Last of Us” on HBO. Will “Borderlands” be the next big hit?
New “Borderlands” Trailer
Cate Blanchett stars as Lilith, a notorious outlaw returning to her home planet, Pandora, on a mission to find the missing daughter of Atlas (played by Edgar Ramírez), the universe’s most powerful man. Lilith teams up with an eclectic group of heroes: mercenary Roland (Kevin Hart), teenage demolitions expert Tiny Tina (Ariana Greenblatt) with her muscle-bound protector Krieg (Florian Munteanu), increasingly unstable scientist Tannis (Jamie Lee Curtis), and the witty robot Claptrap (Jack Black).
This unlikely team faces alien creatures, bandits, and other sci-fi challenges to save the universe. At a CinemaCon 2024 preview, the film was compared to a dark version of “Guardians of the Galaxy.” The latest trailer, which just dropped, supports this view with its mix of anime-style wigs and bold, edgy dialogue amid the action scenes.
The first trailer evoked a blend of “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Mad Max,” and the latest footage continues this trend. Kevin Hart delivers humorous one-liners, Ariana Greenblatt channels the spirited Hit-Girl from “Kick-Ass,” and the action sequences mirror those of American-made action films from the past 15 years. The vibrant, colorful world of “Borderlands” offers a refreshing break from the muted tones of millennial-era minimalism. However, hardcore fans of the games seeking a faithful adaptation might feel let down. Roth’s casting and stylistic decisions have sparked some controversy among the fanbase. Despite this, for those unfamiliar with the games, “Borderlands” promises to be an exhilarating and entertaining ride.
