Key Takeaways:
– Borderlands, directed by Eli Roth, receives negative early reviews and a 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
– Eli Roth's remarks on adapting the game into a movie spark criticism from fans.
– Despite a stellar cast, the film's initial impression hints at potential box office failure.
The Box-Office Bomb That is Borderlands
Hollywood blockbusters, despite loaded with big names, can sometimes hit below expectations. This holds for the much-anticipated film, Borderlands, directed by Eli Roth and filled with Hollywood A-listers like Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, and Jack Black. Bizarrely though, this powerhouse cast could not safeguard the movie from early bad reviews and disappointing fan reactions.
Early Reviews Are In and They Are Not Good
Long before its premiere, Roth's Borderlands started receiving criticism for supposedly veering away from the essence of its original video game counterpart by Gearbox Software. Now that early reviews are out, the disappointment has further solidified. Sadly, it holds the record for debuting with an all-time low 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on critics' reviews.
Roth's Version and the Fans' Fury
In a previous interview with IGN, Roth revealed his intentions for the film adaptation. In his words, taking inspiration from the game, he wanted to create an independent storyline replete with Easter eggs for the fans. But his emphasis on making a personal version instead of a direct adaptation didn't sit well with the fan base.
While speaking to Den of Geek, the director mentioned his experience of playing Borderlands and his personal motive behind the adaptation. Roth stated, “I didn't want to change it to the point that it's not Borderlands, but I wanted to take it from being a video game to being a great sci-fi film.” His intentions, however, seem misaligned with fans' expectations, stirring them further away from the big screen adaptation.
Kevin Hart Stands Strong Amongst Skeptics
Kevin Hart, known for his comedic performance, takes on a crucial role in the movie. Familiarizing himself with the world Borderlands originates from, Hart took on this responsibility. Despite his efforts, his star power did little to win the fans' hearts after feeling disenchanted with Roth's adaptation.
Twitter Reactions Add Fuel to Fire
Fan reactions on Twitter to the movie's disappointing score were decisively brutal. Social media was filled with tweets blaming Roth's disregard for the original games as the cause of the movie's apparent flop. This further confirms fans' earlier predictions about the movie's failure.
A Chaotic Future for Borderlands
Borderlands, made on a lavish budget of $120 million, would need to rake in at least $300 million just to break even. Considering the initial negative outburst, it appears challenging for the film to make a significant box office return.
In Conclusion
Despite having a star-studded cast, Borderlands, yet to premiere on August 9, is already diving into an ocean of criticism and negative reviews. The adaptation's failure, seemingly evident from the early reactions, emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to original material while creating adaptations, especially one as beloved as Borderlands. Now, the world holds its breath to see if the movie fares better in global releases than it did in the early reviews.
