Eli Roth's highly anticipated Borderlands movie is poised for release, but early critical reception paints a bleak picture. Let's delve into the initial reviews and what moviegoers can expect.

A Critical Mauling, Despite Star Power

Early reviews of the Borderlands film adaptation have been overwhelmingly negative. Critics, sharing their first impressions following early screenings, largely condemn the film's humor, CGI, and screenplay.

Edgar Ortega of Loud and Clear Reviews tweeted, "Borderlands feels like a clueless executive's idea of 'cool.' The humor falls flat, lacking genuine emotional connection. It's not even 'so bad it's good,' just a mess."

Darren Movie Reviews (Movie Scene Canada) called it "a baffling adaptation," praising the potential world-building but criticizing the rushed and uninspired script, resulting in a cheap look despite impressive set design.

However, not all the reviews were completely scathing. Kurt Morrison noted that Cate Blanchett and Kevin Hart's performances were highlights, preventing a complete disaster, though he doubts it will find a wide audience. The Hollywood Handle offered a slightly more positive perspective, calling it a fun PG-13 action movie carried by Blanchett's performance.

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.

As major publications release their full reviews in the coming days, audiences will have a chance to judge for themselves when Borderlands hits theaters on August 9th. Meanwhile, Gearbox has hinted at a new Borderlands game.