Battle: Los Angeles

Welcome to another episode Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is Battle: Los Angeles. Directed by Jonathan Liebesman. Written by Christopher Bertolini.

Review #107

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sustained and intense sequences of war violence and destruction, and for language.

Runtime: 116 min

Cast

Aaron Eckhart - SSgt. Michael Nantz

Ramon Rodriguez - 2nd Lt. William Martinez

Cory Hardrict - Cpl. Jason Lockett

Ne-Yo - Cpl. Kevin Harris

Bridget Moynahan - Michele

Noel Fisher - Pfc. Shaun Lenihan

Adetokumboh M'Cormack - Corpsman Jibril Adukwu

Bryce Cass - Hector Rincon

Michael Peña - Joe Rincon

Michelle Rodriguez - TSgt. Elena Santos


When it comes to alien invasion movies, it's either hit or miss. In fact off the top of my head, only The War of The Worlds (1953) make the cut. Other than that I can't recall an alien invasion film that was overall good throughout. I know that most of you may make the case for Independence Day as one but let me save your breath. That movie was HORRIBLY miscast with the exceptions of Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum. The script was frivolous at best and the creature design was laughable. What made it so popular was the ahead of it's time special effects and action. The first 30 minutes of that movie chronicling the alien arrival was well executed.

After that....UGH!

The early trailers for Battle: Los Angeles immediately gave me the impression of Skyline on steroids. That people was not a good thing since Skyline was one of the worst films of 2010. This film was not that. It was better. In fact it was more than better.

It was a damn good film.

The premise is no different than any of it's predecessors. An extraterrestrial species invades earth for the purpose of plundering the planets water supply. What makes this film fresher than the others is the execution of the narrative. The story is told through the exploits of a single marine unit tasked with extracting survivors in a run down police station. Their mission is to find them and bring them back to the base of operations before an air strike levels the area they are in.

That right there makes the film exciting. Not only were these Marines tossed into a beyond hostile environment, a clock was placed over their head. This ratchets up the tension and time frame. If that didn't float your boat then the action surely will. It was relentless and furious. The battles like most of the film were shot hand held which gave it a very overwhelming feel. You're supposed to feel what it's like running around a FUBAR'D neighborhood trying to avoid alien fire while escorting civilians to safety. This comes across nicely.

The film does give you chances to catch a breath between action beats but they don't last that long. This was another good aspect of Battle: Los Angeles. As over the top the premise is, it's grounded in reality. How much time would you have to rest if you were under attack by an other worldly force that's far more advanced in technology, weaponry and their sole purpose is your destruction? The film has a claustrophobic effect to it which also adds to the adrenaline that flows throughout the action scenes. The Marines are small in numbers going against a much larger and superior enemy in a very enclosed surrounding. It instantly reminds you of Black Hawk Down. Not in story or presentation but in proximity of heroes to villains.

The best part about this film was that the human race had a fighting chance at the very beginning of the invasion. There was massive destruction of major cities and collateral damage but the aliens weren't by any means invincible. Their technology was advanced but able to be circumvented. This was a nice touch that doesn't get explored in films of this nature. Instead you are told stories of our world on the brink of extinction until some nerd devises a ridiculous plan to save our planet. The Marines do have successful battles but keeping with the rules of a superior enemy, there are casualties.


This leads to the only bug a boo about this movie. There really isn't a whole lot of character development with the Marines. This can lead to apathy when they fall. That really is up to your feeling as you see the movie. I for one felt the CD was a little light but there was just enough to invest in certain characters and develop a connection with the major cast. In the long run it didn't factor much at all because the film was satisfying on all other levels.


On the 5 star scale. Battle: Los Angeles gets 4 stars with a "Worth Every Penny" recommendation.


This was a very fun, intelligent and exciting alien invasion film that relies on performance and setting to complement it's impressive CGI. Check this one out. I think you'll dig it.


That's a wrap for today. Up next is Red Riding Hood.


Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"


"D"