The highly anticipated Borderlands movie, based on the popular video game series by Gearbox Software, is set to premiere soon, but early reviews suggest it may have been better left as a game. Rotten Tomatoes, the go-to site for movie reviews, currently shows a dismal 3% freshness rating for the film, with only one out of 34 critics giving it a positive review.

Critics’ Verdict

The reviews are overwhelmingly negative, with many critics expressing disappointment and frustration:

• Bob Strauss, The San Francisco Chronicle: Criticized the film’s visual execution, noting that even simple internet searches for game images produce better results.
• David Fear, Rolling Stone: Called it a “horrendous waste of time, talent, and pixels.”
• Nick Schager, The Daily Beast: Described the movie as “monotonous.”
• Jake Kleinman, Inverse: Labeled it a “cheap knockoff.”
• Alison Foreman, IndieWire: Declared it the worst film of Eli Roth’s career.
• Chris Bumbray, JoBlo: Mentioned it as one of the worst big-budget movies seen in a while.
• Billie Melissa, Men’s Journal: Criticized the movie’s “clunky direction,” “lifeless” feel, and “cringeworthy attempts at witty quips.”

A Disappointing Adaptation

The Borderlands movie was expected to capture the chaotic energy and satirical humor that made the games a hit. Unfortunately, it appears to have missed the mark, leading to widespread criticism from both fans and critics alike.

For those looking for a grown-up action comedy with a satirical edge, it might be worth revisiting classics like Deadpool or Wolverine instead.