If you are into action and video games, then this is the movie for you… if you are looking for stellar acting or an amazing plot then you will be let down.
BATTLE: LOS ANGELES is the story of a pretty brutal attack on the US, that showcases SSgt. Michael Nantz (Aaron Eckhart) and his last mission in his military career. After 20 years he finally asks to be let go. They grant his wish, but when trouble strikes they make him stick around for just one more mission. He is placed under the the rank of 2nd Lt. William Martinez (Ramon Rodriguez) and their entire Marine platoon, as well as the rest of the military, is sent out to fight the unknown enemy that is attacking cities all over the globe and trying to wipe out the population.
What they don’t realize is that the attack is not from this Earth. Aliens have invaded Earth, and they are killing everyone and everything in their path. With no other options, and no knowledge of their enemy their Marine Platoon has 3 hours to clear everyone from Santa Monica and get to their safe zone so that the military can nuke the area, wiping out the attacking alien population.
Warning: This movie is rather gruesome! If you have a weak stomach or do not take violence well then this is not the film for you.
The best way to describe this film is INDEPENDENCE DAY meets BLACK HAWK DOWN, if you subtract any sort of continuing, progressive story development. Now, I use those film comparisons loosely. The graphics and special effects were much better in this film that INDEPENDENCE DAY. Actually, they were pretty damn impressive. The movie is reminiscent of a first-shooter video game at times. It’s hard not to get wrapped up in the action and anticipation with the visual effects that they provide. I bring up BLACK HAWK DOWN because they do not sugarcoat this attack! People die in some pretty gruesome, brutal ways. The energy level of the impending doom really gets intense from time to time, and my anxiety level was definitely heightened. (AWESOME!)
The only actor in this that really impressed me was actually Ne-Yo. (Yes, the musician.) He plays Cpl. Kevin Harris, and the funny thing is that I noticed that I really liked his character, but I didn’t realize who he was. I, (obviously) am very familiar with his music, but you weren’t distracted by who he was. Often times, when a musician is put into a film (not always, but we’ve all seen it!) you are distracted by horrible acting, their attitude, product placement, or the obvious fact that they were cast simply to generate buzz and ticket sales. This time that was not the case. I think Ne-Yo was spot on with his performance.
Eckhart was just flat. I am normally a big fan of his, but not in this film. I can’t tell if it was the nature of the film or if it was the fact that the script, or written dialog just sucked. Honestly, if you take the action out of this film all that is left are some bad lines and horrible acting. BIG BOX OF SUCK! Michelle Rodriguez, who I also am a fan of, played the exact same character that she ends up playing in almost every film. As for character development, there is some trickery with that… At the beginning of the film they do a great job of introducing the characters and sparking some genuine interest into who they are, but that pretty much stops when the fighting starts. I am a big fan of action, but there was so much non-stop tension and action that it would have been a nice break nice for them to cut away and spend a little more time on the characters, or a story. While I appreciate them not throwing in a love story for the simple plot fix, (which I think they might have weighed, or left as an option during filming based on the interaction between Eckhart and Moynahan) they still could have spent a little more time on developing more of a story to help the movie flow better.
If you are in the mood to see some aliens, and watch some utter demolition then this is the film for you. If you are looking for a good story, go see something else.
