‘Borderlands’ Bombed. What Went Wrong? | Button Mash
Aug 12, 2024
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Rob Mahoney, a video game and pop culture commentator, teams up with analyst Matt James to dissect the recent flop of ‘Borderlands.’ They humorously reflect on the film's disastrous production choices and how it failed to live up to the beloved game. The duo reminisces about the decline of iconic gaming magazines like Game Informer, offering nostalgia for a lost era. They debate whether ‘Borderlands’ is the worst film featuring Oscar winners and get creative with fantasy-casting star-studded adaptation ideas.
The closure of Game Informer highlights significant changes in gaming journalism and reflects a nostalgia for traditional print media.
The podcast critiques the execution of the 'Borderlands' film, emphasizing the lack of narrative depth and understanding of source material.
Future video game adaptations must prioritize creators' alignment with original content to ensure engaging and compelling storytelling.
Deep dives
The Impact of the Sony Pictures Hack
In 2014, a group of hackers executed one of the largest cyber attacks in Hollywood history by infiltrating Sony Pictures’ computer systems. This breach resulted in the leak of numerous confidential documents, causing significant turmoil not only for the company but also for various individuals and projects connected to it. The ramifications of this attack extended beyond mere financial loss, leading to public disclosures of sensitive information that disrupted business relationships and personal lives across the industry. This incident not only highlighted vulnerabilities in corporate cybersecurity protocols but also marked a turning point in how media companies manage and protect their data.
The Hollywood Hack and Its Aftermath
The aftermath of the Sony Pictures hack revealed the precarious nature of cybersecurity within major studios and the entertainment sector as a whole. Following the breach, many companies reassessed their data protection measures and implemented stricter security protocols to prevent similar incidents. This heightened awareness of cybersecurity extended beyond Hollywood, prompting businesses across various industries to reconsider their defenses against potential hacks. The incident served as a wake-up call about the importance of safeguarding confidential information in an increasingly digital world.
The Evolution of Video Game Adaptations
The podcast delves into the ongoing discourse surrounding video game adaptations, particularly focusing on the film Borderlands, which has received heavy criticism for its execution. The episode underscores that while Hollywood has seen some successful adaptations, such as in series like The Last of Us, the industry still struggles with creating high-quality movies based on video game properties. Many adaptations fail due to poor storytelling, lack of understanding of the source material, and the challenge of translating interactive storytelling into a linear film format. The discussion emphasizes the need for careful consideration of narrative depth and character development in upcoming adaptations.
The End of Game Informer and Nostalgia for Print Media
The recent closing of Game Informer marked the end of an era for video game journalism, as it was one of the last standing print magazines dedicated to gaming. Discussions around this closure reflect a broader sense of loss felt by fans who grew up relying on such publications for insights, reviews, and information about games before the rise of the internet. The nostalgia speaks to a time when anticipation and excitement were built through tangible media, whereas current generations face an overload of information that often diminishes that thrill. The demise of Game Informer is not just a loss for its employees but a poignant marker of changing times in how gaming content is consumed and appreciated.
Lessons from the Borderlands Film
The discussion on the Borderlands film serves as a critical reflection on the mistakes made during its production, showcasing key lessons for future adaptations. The film's numerous issues, from casting to plot execution, illustrate the importance of aligning creative vision with the expectations of the source material. The commentary suggests that future adaptations should involve creators who understand and appreciate the original essence of the game to craft compelling narratives. By analyzing the shortcomings of Borderlands, the conversation drives home the message that a successful adaptation requires careful attention to both storytelling and audience engagement.
Haven’t seen ‘Borderlands,’ the latest video game movie? You have chosen wisely. Ben, Rob Mahoney, and Matt James chose poorly, and they’re here to report on the brand-new box office flop. They begin by bantering about the demise of Game Informer and the end of the era of video game magazines (6:00). Then they review ‘Borderlands’ (16:00) and discuss how it got made (36:00) and why it became a debacle that snapped a streak of strong game adaptations (44:24). They conclude by weighing whether ‘Borderlands’ is the worst movie to feature multiple Oscar winners (52:00), comparing it to previous video game movie misfires (53:00), fantasy-casting their own improbably star-studded video game movies (59:00, and picking the upcoming adaptations they’re most anticipating (1:05:00).
