Borderlands (2024)

Borderlands (2024)

Well now… this really is a spectacular show!

Right, I’ll be very clear once again: it’s based on a video game… and those who’ve played the game are bound to be disappointed yet again, as this comment shows: “Yet another one! Yet another film adaptation of a video game that’s fit only for the bin! More cringe-worthy than anything else. It’s awful!!!”

Basically, for those of you who aren’t familiar with the game and who love light-hearted, humour-packed sci-fi that doesn’t take itself too seriously, this film might just be for you! But if you’re too serious, don’t like to laugh or nothing makes you laugh, if you only like things that are dark, very dark and sinister, or if you hate science fiction, then run away as fast as you can without looking back, you poor wretch!

As you watch, you’ll quickly be reminded of the worlds of Star Wars and Mad Max. The grumpiest among you (them again!) will say it’s just a rip-off (as usual!) and the more modern-minded will say it’s better than what those dinosaurs are churning out (yes, as usual too!!!).

Of course, you might also think of Total Recall, but also teams like the Guardians of the Galaxy or the Thunderbolts – The New Avengers, but this film still has its own identity and its own team. It’s only natural to see nods and references everywhere. It’s mad! People are always complaining, as we all know! They complain when there are remakes, they complain when there are sequels, prequels or reboots. They complain about a lack of imagination, and then when creators do something new, they complain that it’s a copy. Or else they’re absolutely delighted just because someone’s come up with something shocking and offensive that’ll get people talking, especially if it’s utterly tasteless! Do people still know how to enjoy themselves or simply go with the flow without overthinking things? It certainly doesn’t seem so!

Chases, explosions, stunts, monsters, fights – this explosive mix, combined with offbeat humour, makes for some cracking entertainment.

The team consists of a rather solitary bounty hunter, an elite soldier, an annoying little girl, a big brute and an irritating robot. Yes, a dream team just like the Americans know so well how to put together.

I wouldn’t have imagined for a single second that this was an Eli Roth film! Is he perhaps trying to broaden his repertoire? Or simply expand his scope? In any case, he’d already worked with Jack Black and Cate Blanchett in a family fantasy comedy called The House with a Clock in its Walls (2018). I haven’t seen it, but apparently it’s a good film for the Christmas holidays, for example!

Now, let me remind you that Eli Roth is, after all, the man behind Hostel (2005)! So he’s a specialist in torture porn, after all!!! He also directed The Green Inferno (2013), which is a remake of the controversial Cannibal Holocaust (1980), and remade Knock Knock (2015), which is a remake of the thriller Death Game (1977) – not the Knock Knock (2007), which is also a horror film. Just goes to show!

This director, who is also an actor (Night Always Comes, Inglourious Basterds, Clown, Aftershock), knows how to surprise. Especially as there’s very little blood and no gore in this film. So nothing too graphic for the faint-hearted. Admittedly, there is some violence, but it’s fairly mainstream. Which doesn’t necessarily mean it’s suitable for young audiences. Be careful what you let children watch! Thanks!!!

The last half-hour started to wear me out. There’s always a climactic moment of exaggeration in this sort of film that annoys me more and more. But the very end is nice, and nothing could have stopped this film from getting a sequel… were it not for its lack of success. Because I don’t think the public took to it very well.

As I told you, fans of the video game are apparently furious, as are fans of the director and the fabulous actors who got involved in this. Of course, this film also embodies everything people hate when they talk about Hollywood films in a disparaging way.

Personally, I loved the sets, and the big budget was put to good use to really dazzle the audience. The action scenes are really good fun.

Blanchett, with her dramatic eyeliner, blows me away with her orange hair. All colours suit this fabulous Australian actress, who’s just as good at playing serious roles as she is at playing completely bonkers ones.

Kevin Hart makes you laugh just by looking at him. He always cracks me up with his expressions and facial gestures.

Jamie Lee Curtis also has me in stitches when she plays zany roles, because I know she can be really funny.

Ariana Greenblatt plays the coolest little brat I’ve seen in a film for ages.

Motörhead’s song ‘Ace of Spades’, playing during a massive brawl, is a very welcome addition!

Rich in post-apocalyptic, trashy neo-cyberpunk colour, with its graffiti, landscapes and cities that are a joy to rediscover. Although the story remains basic, I thoroughly enjoyed having a new film in this all too rare genre.

I read this review, which is absolutely spot on: ‘Frankly, people ask themselves far too many questions, thinking they’re film experts. I watched the film with my wife and we both enjoyed it – even though she wasn’t familiar with the game, unlike me. It was very funny, the special effects were top-notch; we really had a great time.’

Never trust the critics and make up your own mind – that’s a fine motto. Because, after all, ‘Criticism is easy, but art is hard!’

I think in the world of video games, they’re up to Borderlands 4.

A short list of films based on video games: Resident Evil 1–6 (2002 to 2016), Double Dragon (1994), Street Fighter (1994), Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (2009), Silent Hill (2006), Silent Hill: Revelation (2012), Return to Silent Hill (2026), Super Mario Bros. (1993), The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) / The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026), Mortal Kombat (2021), Mortal Kombat (1995), Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997), Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life (2003), Tomb Raider (2018), Doom (2005), Doom: Annihilation (2019), D.O.A. – Dead or Alive (2006), BloodRayne 1 to 3 (2005 to 2011), Hitman (2007), Hitman: Agent 47 (2015)… and the list goes on and on!!!

There are also animated films such like Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001), Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (2005), and Final Fantasy XV: Kingsglaive (2016).

There was also Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist, a British martial arts web series.

However, I don’t think Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One (2018) belongs in this category, but it’s also worth mentioning amongst the references for this genre of films.