Film review Borderlands, an accelered ride with Cate Blanchett and Edgar Ramirez

From books to videogames, Hollywood’s new chosen medium to adapt into motion pictures is the well from which Borderlands is drawn. Director Eli Roth, who made his bones shocking audiences with horror-centric films like Hostel while receiving praise from Quentin Tarantino, forgoes the gore and psychological rollercoasters. The colorful and humor-laced piece rides along its’ PG-13 course. Bringing the popular game to life is not free of pressure. It was a slow road for the film’s production, leaving lovers of the game watching the clock. Hoping to carry the tail end of summer, does it deliver justice for core fans while also performing cinematically?

The action sets off the story, introducing us to seasoned bounty hunter Lilith, played too well by Oscar winner Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine, Tar). The hyper-intense pace aims to leave movie-goers feeling like they’re in the first-person shooter game. Rolling with the punches while tracking a culprit, she takes a page from Danny Glover’s book in Lethal Weapon, uttering “I’m getting too old for this shit”. This won’t be the only time the movie reminds you of others.

The precise tone for the film’s narration

Mega corporations fueled by greed run things around these parts, keeping times tough for most. Unable pass on a hefty reward, Lilith is hired by powerful mogul Atlas (Edgar Ramirez, Carlos The Jackal) to find and rescue his daughter, Tina (Ariana Greenblatt, Barbie) whom he says was kidnapped. He says she is on the planet Pandora, Lilith’s home planet she hasn’t revisited in some time, avoiding painful memories. Blanchett provides the precise tone for the film’s narration without sounding folky or veering into the wheelhouse of predictable comedies.

On her hunt, Lilith learns that Tina is believed to possess the ability to open the coveted “vault”, its’ contents still unknown, revealing the truth about Atlas’ desperation to track her down. This is the same vault Lilith’s mother died trying to open. The high marked bounty only makes things more dangerous, attracting all in need of a pay day.

It’s here we encounter a cast of characters that form an ensemble who soon finds itself on a greater mission. Aside from locating Tina with former marine-turned guardian Roland (Kevin Hart, Jumanji), the crew grows with Krieg, Mad Moxxi, and even Jack Black lending his voice to the rehashed, wise cracking robot Claptrap.

The picture’s sound is top tier, surrounding you. The sets possess visual depth aside from the quality special effects. However, the action moves fast, sometimes too fast, with no time left for characters to develop. Ringing Star Wars’ bells, there’s even a funky-future bar scene chalk full of eccentrics on top of the hologram messages and subterranean lurking monsters.

It's car chases, flying jet-ski’s, and laser-guns galore as a mad scramble ensues to protect Tina, fearing Atlas will only use the vault’s contents for evil. As things escalate, the squad seeks out archeologist Tannis (Jamie Lee Curtis, Halloween), an expert on the vault who believes what it holds could change things for the better. Forces combine to locate the third and final key.

Tannis’ proclamation that “there is no salvation without sacrifice” carries more weight as the true nature of Tina and Atlas’ relationship is learned. With him and his goons nipping at their heels, it’s down to the burning wire for Lilith and company as they strive to keep Tina safe and protect the vault from the wrong hands.

Viewers looking for an accelerated ride with a swift run time may find Borderlands the right fit with laughs sandwiched between intergalactic adventure. Those foreign to the game itself or craving more substance can take a shot and see how close the arrow comes to the bullseye.