Borderlands brings the game's eccentric world to the screen through a mixture of science fiction, action and comedy. Eli Roth follows Lilith's return to Pandora and a group of unlikely companions whose connection becomes the centre of the adventure.
Cate Blanchett gives Lilith a useful combination of strength and vulnerability. Kevin Hart shows a more serious side as Roland, while Jack Black provides humour through Claptrap. The cast is one of the film's stronger elements.
The exaggerated style fits a world built around bizarre people and dangerous encounters. Its mixture of grotesque humour and action can be entertaining, though the result may feel chaotic to viewers less comfortable with that approach.
Pandora is lively and detailed. Landscapes and unusual surroundings create an appealing, sometimes unsettling environment, while the effects give the action scale. The visual density can also become tiring.
The adaptation captures enough of the game's spirit to make the journey enjoyable, but its loud, uneven mixture is a particular taste. A wider audience may find the style confusing or excessive rather than energetic.
Borderlands is solid rather than outstanding. It can provide fun for viewers who enjoy unconventional, busy action films, especially those drawn to its cast and setting. The pleasures are immediate, but the film is less likely to leave a lasting impression once the noise has settled.