The cultural perception of video game movies was just beginning to improve when Borderland burst into the room. Something about the iconic mix of bloody violence and middle school humor didn’t translate to the big screen. Most critics took the time to point this out in their reviews Borderland‘ Lack of originality. The film doesn’t have much to offer aside from jokes and scenes that feel like they were borrowed from better films. Almost every viewer mentions the film’s similarities to James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Borderland is not the first project that deserves this comparison.
Superhero movies are technically representatives of one genre, but almost every entry has a second genre. Everything from Captain America To Avengers: Endgame takes inspiration from a selection of other projects to create something unique. Conversely, superhero movies tend to be the most successful projects at the box office, leading many studios and producers to take notes from anything that works. It’s a double-edged sword. While it might get attention, it also guarantees that most people have seen the thing, which it easily rips off.
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The Borderlands movie has received a rare Rotten Tomatoes rating (not good)
Borderlands failed to satisfy critics, which is also reflected in the rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Borderland looks like Guardians of the Galaxy
The Borderland The film is about a ragtag group of colorful space criminals who come together under unexpected circumstances to capture a legendary artifact. It conveys its plot through science fiction versions of familiar fight scenes, generally with a healthy dash of added color and a soundtrack of old pop songs. It is very reminiscent of James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Of course, most of these elements are present in a lot of other films, many of which came out long before 2014. The reason Borderland has drawn so many comparisons is more a matter of tone and presentation than of identifiable choices in the story. Things like the specific mix of comedy and action, the bright color palette that dominates most of the characters, and the snappy dialogue that leaves endless room for lazy gags stand out. These details draw attention, but their connection to the hugely successful Guardian Franchise makes them seem cynical. Borderland cannot escape these accusations, especially when the publisher is being criticized elsewhere for its lack of creativity.
Other notable films such as Guardians of the Galaxy
Borderland is not the first film to be compared to Guardians of the Galaxy. As the DC Extended Universe Suicide SquadMany saw this as the answer to Guardians of the Galaxy. However, most have forgotten it in favor of James Gunn’s far better second attempt, the 2016 original Suicide Squad feels a bit like a mirror universe version GuardianWhile the Marvel contribution is funny, pop, endlessly charming and made up of recognizable characters, Suicide Squad is a grim march into uncomfortable chaos. It’s miserable, but oddly boring. The constant pop song needle drops seem particularly lazy. The film famously went through several edits before it hit theaters. It’s as if someone realized it wasn’t similar enough Guardian and put a few extra songs in the background. It’s a bad movie, but its connections to Marvel’s much better movie seem obvious. It’s ironic that The suicide squadthe film that has the same director as Guardianseems a little less cynical in his comparisons.
The other major recipient of Guardians of the Galaxy Comparisons were Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. The D&D The film is another ragtag bunch of criminals pulling off a heroic heist to steal a powerful MacGuffin. While this film doesn’t have the all-important pop song soundtrack, it does have a very similar sense of humor. It also has a remarkably similar team composition to its competitors. It’s the classic five-man band cliche, complete with funny gags for each important character. Honor among thieves seemed to be the only notable film that received positive comparisons with Guardian. Normally that’s an insult, but here it’s an acknowledgement of the RPG-like elements of both works.
Could Borderland be the last of its kind?
Will anyone want to make this kind of blockbuster again after Borderland? Probably. Other studios will almost certainly try this trick again. Any tried and tested formula will be back in the spotlight. Bad entries wash off familiar formats without leaving a blemish. If anything, it might cause the next similar project to deviate slightly from the mold. Borderland feels very similar Guardianso much so that its few defenders, alongside its most ardent haters, acknowledge the connection. It’s just an unfortunate fact. Perhaps future examples of this kind of team action comedy will learn to find more ways to stand out.
Borderland could still make a lot of money. Its biggest competitor at the box office is Deadpool and Wolverinewhich has been available for a few weeks. While fans seem to be unhappy with the trailers and critics seem to despise the project, reviews have little impact on sales these days. Even if it is bad, if Borderland money, it will likely inspire a few more imitations of everyone’s favorite sci-fi space comedy. The fate of future big-name films will depend on it Borderland‘s shoulders. Fans may hear fewer and fewer great mixes in the next decade.
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The Borderlands movie could establish a superior video game format
If the Borderlands movie flops, it could lead to more television series about video games.
