The upcoming Borderlands movie, directed by Eli Roth, is generating considerable buzz, but early critical reception paints a bleak picture. Read on for a summary of initial reviews and what moviegoers can anticipate.

A Critical Mauling, Despite Star Power

Early reviews for the Borderlands film adaptation are overwhelmingly negative. Critics, following its initial US screenings, have voiced strong criticism across social media platforms. Common complaints include weak humor, unconvincing CGI, and a lackluster script.

Edgar Ortega of Loud and Clear Reviews tweeted, "Borderlands feels like a studio exec's misguided attempt at capturing 'cool.' The humor falls flat, and the film lacks genuine emotional depth, resulting in a chaotic mess."

Darren Movie Reviews from Movie Scene Canada called it "a baffling adaptation," citing unrealized potential for world-building hampered by a rushed and uninspired script. He noted impressive set design undermined by poor CGI.

However, not all reviews were entirely damning. Kurt Morrison praised 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 more positive, albeit qualified, assessment: "Borderlands is a fun PG-13 action movie, heavily reliant on Cate Blanchett's star power to carry it – and she succeeds."

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

The film centers on Lilith (Cate Blanchett), returning to Pandora to find Atlas's missing daughter. She teams up with an eclectic group: Roland (Kevin Hart), Tiny Tina (Ariana Greenblatt), Krieg (Florian Munteanu), Tannis (Jamie Lee Curtis), and Claptrap (Jack Black).

As major publications release their full reviews in the coming days, audiences will soon form their own opinions when Borderlands hits theaters on August 9th. Meanwhile, Gearbox has hinted at a new Borderlands game.