Under the direction of Eli Roth, Cate Blanchett brings to life Lilith, a character from the video game Borderlands who must rescue Tiny Tina, played by Ariana Greenblatt. And despite the additional presence of Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Hart and the voice of Jack Black, it is not the apotheosis.
Let’s say it right away, Borderlands does not reinvent the wheel and is only worth it because of the presence of seasoned actresses and actors, without whom this feature film would not have seen the light of day. And unfortunately, like many video game adaptations – including, in particular, the Tomb Raider with Angelina Jolie and then Alicia Vikander in the role of Lara Croft – it lacks a sufficiently convincing script to justify the transition to the big screen.
It all begins when Lilith (Cate Blanchett) receives a visit from Atlas (Edgar Ramirez). The latter, a wealthy businessman, has some problems with his daughter, Tiny Tina (Ariana Greenblatt), who disappeared on the planet Pandora where she was kidnapped by a mercenary (Florian Munteanu). Lilith, a bounty hunter, is therefore tasked with finding the preteen and bringing her back safely.
Photo Katalin Vermes provided by Lionsgate
But then, Pandora, Lilith’s home planet, is also the place where all the treasure hunters are trying to get their hands on a hidden chest and the heroine will therefore find herself embarked, much against her will, in this race for riches. Along the way, she will join forces with Roland (Kevin Hart), a former mercenary, and will come across Patrica Tannis (Jamie Lee Curtis), a scientist who knows Lilith’s troubled past and who will bring her answers.
With a budget of US$100 million, Borderlands made in the trash and what Americans call the grittythat is, a dirty and seedy look. The filmmaker Eli Roth, in order to ensure a “PG-13” rating in the United States, has, on the other hand, sanitized the subject a little, the psychopathic killers having become only bloodthirsty – and without too many spurts of hemoglobin.
PHOTO COURTESY OF LIONSGATE
Yes, overall, Borderlands is fun, the enthusiasm of the main actresses and supporting actors – including the robot voiced by Jack Black – is infectious and we follow these intergalactic adventures with amused interest. The character of Tiny Tina stands out as the funniest, the young girl not hesitating to throw explosive stuffed rabbits at her opponents and to punch with interesting vivacity. But after the first few times, the interest quickly fades… as for the rest of this rather banal plot.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
Borderlands explodes in theaters on August 8.
