Gaming Phenom: Transformation of Borderlands from Acclaimed Game to Potential Blockbuster Movie
Taking a Fresh Look at Borderlands: The Movie
Get ready, action-adventure fans! The long-awaited Borderlands movie will hit the big screen in 2024, shaking up the sci-fi world. But let's not get confused with the equally exciting Borderlands movie from 2013. This time, we're diving into the video game series released back in 2009, and its rollercoaster of sequels—Borderlands 2 in 2012, Borderlands 3 in 2019, and The Pre-Sequel in 2014.
It's been almost a decade in the making, with development kicking off in 2015. But the journey was quite a whirlwind, with several producers and directors and screenwriters coming and going. Finally, none other than Eli Roth took over as director, with Craig Mazin penning the script, although he later departed the project. Filming started in 2021 and wrapped up the following year.
Packing quite a punch, the star-studded cast includes luminaries like Cate Blanchett, Jaime Lee Curtis, Kevin Hart, and Gina Gershon. Blanchett portrays Lilith, a powerful space witch tasked with finding a missing girl on the treacherous planet of Pandora. To complete the mission, she enlists the help of fellow mercenaries.
While this storyline stray from the original plot of bounty hunters searching for a legendary vault, the filmmakers have obviously opted to create an innovative narrative in the same setting as the games. Will it be a successful gamble or does the film risk falling flat on its face? Only time will tell, considering the original Borderlands game was more popular for its gameplay, unique design, and outrageous comedy rather than its storytelling prowess.
What's So Unique About the Game That's Almost a Decade Old?
Forget the brooding, serious tones common in most first-person shooters (FPS). Borderlands broke new ground by bringing colorful comic-book graphics and crude humor loaded with internet-culture jokes to the table. But it wasn't just about the visuals. Players also took on the role of one of four characters, each with distinct abilities that evolved as they advanced.
The game catered to solo players or squads, sending them on missions across Pandora, a lawless world crawling with danger from bandits, mercenaries, psychos, and the planet's native life forms. The weapons? Pistols, shotguns, and rifles in every shape, size, and rarity imaginable, each with unique abilities and characteristics that kept gameplay engaging and fresh.
A Weapon Arsenal You Won't Find Anywhere Else
There's no denying the arsenal of weapons was the game's highlight. With seemingly countless guns at your disposal, you could take down legions of enemies using corrosive Maliwan submachine guns, wild-west style shotguns, or Hyperion sniper rifles. Each gun had a distinct style, and the variety encouraged players to embrace their unique playstyle and incentivized almost endless replayability.
Even the equipment talked back to you, with some weapons chattering as you fired, or shields berating you for taking damage. For some, this quirky touch was annoying. For others like me, it was part of what made the experience so much fun.
A Game that Left a Lasting Legacy
Though I didn't get to experience Borderlands when it first dropped, Borderlands 2 became one of my all-time favorite games. Its dynamic loot system brought a new perspective to the looter-shooter genre, paving the way for games like Destiny. Its humor and slapstick comedic elements proved popular for years and spawned countless internet memes.
But will the movie capture the essence of this groundbreaking game? That remains to be seen. Still, it's enough to reignite my interest in revisiting these games. So, if you're interested in getting a taste of the looter-shooter genre or just enjoy world-class action and humor, Borderlands can't be beat.
If you'd rather soak up the carnage from the comfort of your couch, consider exploring the Borderlands comics or checking out similar reads:
- Borderlands
- Borderlands: Origins
- Borderlands: Volume 3, Tannis and the Vault
- Martian Manhunt
- Savage Dawn
- Blood Red Tide
- The Fifth Season
- The Heritage Universe
- The Wonderful World of Tank Girl
- Bitch Planet
- East of West
In the realm of entertainment, Borderlands offers a unique blend of action, humor, and science-fiction, different from other first-person shooters. This game is recognized for its comic-book graphics, crude humor, and internet-culture references. (reading)
For those who enjoy action-adventure movies and tv shows, as well as sci-fi and fantasy genres, the upcoming Borderlands movie might cater to your tastes. With its star-studded cast and prospective innovative narrative set on the lawless planet Pandora, it's worth keeping an eye on to see if it captures the essence of the famous video game series. (movies-and-tv)
