Battleship

Battleship

I’ll be honest. I wasn’t expecting much from this film. I’ve seen several trailers now and all of them have been somewhat unsatisfactory in delivering a worthwhile reason to go.

However, after watching it, I couldn’t have been more wrong.

For a start, Battleship shouldn’t work. Hasbro’s two previous toy-to-film movies (Transformers and G.I. Joe) haven’t exactly made fans smile.

Secondly, the plot has been done before — the US military comes to save the world in the face of an alien attack. Just like they did in Battle: Los Angeles, Independence Day and, of course, the Men in Black franchise.

Thirdly, the media attention for this film hasn’t been its best friend, criticising the use of supermodels, pop stars and macho gung-ho action to endorse an expected flop.

But as absurd as the plot may be, Battleship is an action sci-fi flick that (pun alert) hits the mark (thank you). A team of scientists have discovered a distant planet similar to Earth and decide to make contact.

Sure enough, the aliens get hold of this and decide to happily take over the planet. Cheers, science folk. Sure enough, the aliens arrive to kick ass and at quite a coincidental time as well.

The world naval games known as RIMPAC are taking place in Oahu, Hawaii where great nations like Japan and the US square off against each other to see who reigns supreme.

So, aliens are here, in the middle of the naval games. What could possibly happen?

With all my sarcasm regarding the plot, what we have here is a blockbuster that can actually deliver a plot worthy of the effects and action. And for an estimated budget of $200 million, you certainly feel like they deserve an A for effort.

Battleship is consistently on edge as its fast pace and pulsating score keep the viewer engaged. Sure, the whole thing may seem ridiculous but it’s a sci-fi flick that is ridiculously fun.

Even with another mediocre performance from Taylor Kitsch (John Carter) this film doesn’t falter to entertain the audience. However, I think in the end it will be a film you either like or hate. I’m giving it 3.5/5.

INFO: Kylan Luke-McKeen is a Star Observer contributor. His website is at www.kylanmckeen.com

Battleship
132 mins
Rating: M
Director: Peter Berg
Screenplay: Erich Hoeber and Jon Hoeber
Cast: Taylor Kitsch, Aleksander Skaarsgard, Rihanna, Liam Neeson

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