“Borderlands,” Lionsgate’s big-screen adaptation of Gearbox’s iconic looter shooter, is now screening nationwide. Combining elements from the first two “Borderlands” games, the film sees mercenary turned interplanetary sorceress Lilith (Cate Blanchett) team up with Roland (Kevin Hart), Tiny Tina (Ariana Greenblatt), Tannis (Jamie Lee Curtis), Krieg (Florian Munteanu) and Claptrap (Jack Black) to take on an evil weapons manufacturer lead by megalomaniac CEO Atlas (Édgar Ramírez).
The movie has gotten mostly negative reviews, calling it a misstep in video game adaptations in the wake of major hits like HBO’s “The Last of Us” TV series and the popular “Sonic the Hedgehog” movies.
Variety‘s film critic Peter Debruge wrote, “Look to Blanchett for a master class in making even the most ridiculous character sound convincing. Fans already know what to expect from Lilith, whose destiny is meant to serve as a surprise in Roth’s retelling, but she plays the flamboyant vigilante without slipping into camp (the way she did in ‘Thor: Ragnarok’). Even so, it’s hard to overlook the irony, two years after ‘Tár,’ of seeing the star embody a video game character, considering where that film’s whomp-whomp ending left her (at rock bottom, conducting video game music for a cosplay crowd). Since gamers no doubt have their favorites from among this crew, the movie tries to give each of the leads a heroic battle against a more powerful adversary — or in Roland’s case, a small army of them. But as the film goes on, it’s increasingly clear where things are headed. By the time ‘Borderlands’ unlocks its vault, not even the characters seem to care what’s inside.”
With seven mainline titles and spinoffs in the franchise, there is no shortage of Easter eggs and references to pull from. Here are 10 we spotted in the “Borderlands” movie.
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The Infinity Pistol
The Infinity Pistol is the most iconic legendary-grade weapon from “Borderlands 2.” As the name implies, the Infinity Pistol is a gun that never runs out of ammo. In the film, it is Lilith’s sidearm of choice, while in the game, it’s a rare drop from the Three Horns Valley mini-boss Doc Mercy.
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Caustic Caverns
Caustic Caverns is one of the most stunning locations in the “Borderlands” games. While reduced to a claustrophobic sewer duct in the movie, it’s an expansive toxic wonderland in “Borderlands 2,” teeming with dangerous creatures, secret caverns and long abandoned mining equipment.
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Marcus’ Van
In the first “Borderlands” game, Marcus’ van serves as your entrance to Pandora, dropping you off into the wasteland after you’ve selected your vault hunter. In the film, Marcus picks up Lilith in the same vehicle when she arrives on the planet.
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The Bloodshot Stronghold
In “Borderlands 2,” the Bloodshot Stronghold is your first major roadblock on your way to stopping Handsome Jack. While the film strays from that storyline, the stronghold remains the dark dangerous headquarters of Pandora’s most ravenous psycho gang: The Bloodshots.
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Sanctuary
Sanctuary is the hub world for “Borderlands 2,” and is probably the most iconic location in the franchise. In the film, it serves a very similar purpose, providing safety for Lilith and all other Pandorans who stumble through its gates.
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The Vault
“The Vault” is the king of all treasure troves. Said to contain an alien technology of immeasurable power, opening the vault is the goal of all four mainline “Borderlands” titles. In the film, Lilth and her team must beat Atlas to the vault to stop him from using the bounty for evil.
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The Fire Hawk
The Fire Hawk is a nickname for “Borderlands” heroine Lilith, referencing the fiery wings she grows upon using her siren powers. In the movie, Lilith is powerless until she opens the vault and triggers her dormant Fire Hawk abilities.
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The Atlas Corporation
The Atlas Corporation is a major player in the first “Borderlands” game, serving as a high-end weapons manufacturer and the antagonist of its most iconic DLC: “The Secret Armory of General Knoxx.” In the film, it is personified by CEO Atlas, who the company is named after.
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The Badonkadonks
Badonkadonks is Tiny Tina’s nickname for her stuffed animal-inspired explosives. Players of “Borderlands 2” will remember looking for two of her badonkadonks during the mission “A Train to Catch.”
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Moxxi’s Bar
In “Borderlands 2,” Moxxi’s Bar is the favorite dive of Sanctuary’s citizens and a place to find some extra work. In the film, Moxxi opens her bar as a hideaway for our heroes and points them toward Tannis’ lab.
