Borderlands is emotionless chaos. It doesn't set up any drama, immediately rushing into the story without relatability. This fundamental flaw is worsened when the script later tries to pay off unearned vulnerability, which rings insultingly insincere. It's wild how little any character is established; they're not even inconsistent or flat because they aren't anything. Every plot development is a cliche, bogged down by convoluted yet incomplete world-building. There's forced dialogue, predictability, contrivances, thin motivation, and repetitive humor. Meanwhile, the acting is one-note, tonally confused, and lacking likability. Thus, Borderlands is an onslaught of nonsense.
Technically, Borderlands is desensitizing. The cinematography goes from overlit to underlit, is overly shaky, and doesn't convey clear geography. With a manic pace and butchered structure, its editing is constantly exhausting. While complex with genre elements, the sound frequently becomes noisy. Its music's use of arbitrary needle drops only reminds audiences of better films this is imitating. Although it replicates the source material's punk sci-fi aesthetic, the production design often looks fake or ugly. Despite its fame, the cast is underutilized, misplaced, and incidental. The excessive CGI is cartoonishly unconvincing. Ultimately, Borderlands is carelessly erratic.
Writing: 2/10
Direction: 2/10
Cinematography: 4/10
Acting: 4/10
Editing: 2/10
Sound: 6/10
Score/Soundtrack: 3/10
Production Design: 5/10
Casting: 6/10
Effects: 3/10
Overall Score: 3.7/10
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