Amazon Prime has just added one of the most polarising films of the past year, which despite its controversy, some fans have hailed as an 'absolute thrill ride'. The film in question is Borderlands, now available to all Prime subscribers following its initial cinema release in 2024. This big-budget live-action adaptation brings to life the immensely popular video game franchise of the same name, renowned for its over-the-top weaponry, sometimes risqué humour and vibrant characters. The film endeavours to bring these characters to the big screen, with the plot centring on Lilith, portrayed by Cate Blanchett, a notorious bounty hunter with a shadowy past.
She reluctantly returns to her home planet of Pandora, known as the galaxy's most chaotic planet. Her mission is to locate the lost daughter of Atlas. Along the way, she forms an unlikely alliance with a motley crew of misfits - Roland (Kevin Hart), a seasoned mercenary on a quest; Tiny Tina (Ariana Greenblatt), a wild pre-teen demolitionist; Krieg (Florian Munteanu), Tina's muscular guardian; Tannis (Jamie Lee Curtis), the eccentric scientist who's seen it all; and Claptrap (Jack Black), a quick-witted robot. Together, this improbable band of heroes must combat alien species and perilous bandits to unearth one of Pandora's most explosive secrets.
Directed by Eli Roth, who also had a hand in penning the screenplay, the movie credits Joe Crombie as co-writer, although rumours swirl that this individual might not even exist. The reshoots of the flick fell under the leadership of Tim Miller, who directed the hit Deadpool, reports Surrey Live. But despite such heavyweight involvement, it was a box office bomb, losing $100 million and scraping just 10% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Despite its financial flop status, the film has conjured up a spell of division amongst viewers over the past year. Sharing their two pennies worth online, one film-goer acknowledged the movie's flaws yet found it a hoot, stating: "Look, this film isn't a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination, but if you want an entertaining popcorn flick, this is it. Sure it played around with the lore, but it was satisfying and while the writing was predictable and the final boss fight very quick, it felt like the actors had fun doing it, got into character and had a few laughs.".
Another enthusiast hailed the feature as "an absolute thrill ride from start to finish, perfectly capturing the chaotic charm of the beloved video game series." They continued to lavish praise, noting: "As someone who has played all the games multiple times, I was blown away by how faithfully the movie brought the world of Pandora to life. The humour, the action, and the larger-than-life characters are all here, just as fans would hope.".
They continue: "The movie doesn't just cater to hardcore fans; it's a fantastic entry point for newcomers too, offering a wild, entertaining experience that doesn't require prior knowledge of the games. The visual effects are stunning, and the action sequences are both intense and hilarious, just like the chaotic gunfights the franchise is known for. "Borderlands: The Movie" delivers everything I hoped for and more, making it a must-see for any fan of the series or anyone looking for a fun, action-packed movie experience. I can't wait to see it again.".
However, not everyone agrees, such as one disappointed viewer who claimed: "What a disappointment. This world has so much potential, and they just wasted it to produce a no-heart, by-the-numbers adaptation. With amazing adaptations like The Last of Us, Fallout, Mario Bros, Sonic etc coming out in recent years, I though Hollywood finally knew better. Boy was I wrong.".
