Directed by: Jonathan Liebesman
Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Ramon Rodriguez, Cory Hardrict
Don't go into this one expecting a good plot, stellar dialogue, or standout performances. Luckily, I didn't go in expecting any of that. I got just what I had expected from seeing the trailers: Lots of shouting, bullets and explosions. Lots of explosions.
Battle: Los Angeles follows a very simple story that we've seen countless times before. Aliens are invading, and its up to a clichéd squad of tough marines to bring down the extraterrestrial baddies. There's not much more to it than that. The explanation for the invasion was almost easy to miss in the quick pace of the film (something to do with water); but that's not what you're here for. Some effort is given to introducing us to the characters and make us care about them. It didn't really work, the characters are pretty bland, and their backstories were just as uninteresting. I couldn't remember any of their names by the film's half way point. It was difficult to feel emotional when marine #3 got shot a bunch of times, or when marines #2, #5, and #7 got blown up in a helecopter.
Speaking of marines, this movie almost seems like an ad for the US Marine Corps at some points. Except its two hours long and with aliens. It didn't bother me too much, but anyone who has spent 5 minutes in the actual military would cringe at some of the interactions and portrayal of the marines in general. Its not a bad portrayal, its just.....off.
The acting is surprisingly good at some points. At others, its barley passable. Aaron Eckhart does an amazing job Staff Segregant Nantz, even if there isn't much to his character. The rest of the actors do an OK job, however, none of them give memorable performances. Noel Fisher is good as the squad's inexperienced newbie. Bryce Cass, who plays a youngster that is rescued by the marines, is very impressive given his age. Michelle Rodriguez steps far outside of her comfort zone playing the tougher-than-usual female soldier, this time an air force sergeant.
The acting is surprisingly good at some points. At others, its barley passable. Aaron Eckhart does an amazing job Staff Segregant Nantz, even if there isn't much to his character. The rest of the actors do an OK job, however, none of them give memorable performances. Noel Fisher is good as the squad's inexperienced newbie. Bryce Cass, who plays a youngster that is rescued by the marines, is very impressive given his age. Michelle Rodriguez steps far outside of her comfort zone playing the tougher-than-usual female soldier, this time an air force sergeant.
Michelle Rodriguez in Battle: Los Ang-... wait......
Here we go- Nope, hold on....
Damn it.....
Ok, I think I got it
Lets get down to what Battle: Los Angeles is all about. Action. The only thing it does very well, almost making up for other shortcomings. Once it starts about a half hour into the film, it literally doesn't end until the credits roll. Its fast paced, loud, and brutal. Mixed in with all of the carnage is copious amounts of CGI. It didn't bug me much, the effects held up very well. It did give the film almost a video game type feel, which fits considering the probable target audience.
Michael Bay would be proud.
My only gripe is that the camera was extremely jumpy and shaky. I can forgive this in the action scenes, but the cameraman appears to be trembling in quite a few of the slower scenes. Its incredibly distracting to have the camera jumping about when you're trying to watch two guys talking in an office.
Bottom Line: 6/10: Its nothing substantial, with sub par story and characters. Everything else Battle: Los Angeles does awesomely, earning it back a few points. The perfect mindless all American popcorn action flick.
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