Battle: Los Angeles is the right kind of “Hoorah!” that the alien invasion sub-genre needed.
What we have here is solid genre entertainment. If anyone was expecting stimulating dialogue, stirring character portraits, or philosophically illuminating science fiction, than you’ve must have misread the marquee. This is Battle: Los Angeles, and that’s exactly what we get.
It begins in the throes of war, as a platoon of marines led by aging Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz (Aaron Eckhart) battle against an armed and innovative enemy in downtown L.A. Flashing back 24 hours earlier, we learn that the enemy is extraterrestrial, and they have come to colonise our species and take our natural resources.
Yet the human race doesn’t back down. Centuries of ideological and territorial warfare has proven that fact, and in the exploits of these marines a glimpse is given into the qualities which makes these men and women so important, culminating in what has to be one of the more pro-military films seen in some time, and rightfully so as honour and sacrifice are shown in a pure, non-politicised light.
Directed by Jonathan Liebsman, Battle: Los Angeles does away with the “behind the corridors of power” sequences seen in the likes of Independence Day, and instead takes us into the “the shit” with these grunts, providing a sonic assault for the eyes and ears, as shaky cam theatrics and great VFX work, combine to make a gritty sci-fi war movie, albeit one which needed a trim here and there to pack an even mightier wallop.
The real surprise is its ability to invoke emotion during the no holds barred entertainment. By having us in the trenches with these marines, Liebesman has us experience the chaotic action and its consequences (i.e. death), found in this brand of urban warfare.
This is not Platoon by any stretch of the imagination. Battle: Los Angeles is a rousing and patriotic movie, the type not seen in a long time. Sure, it can be corny as hell, but its actors see it through, particularly Michal Pena, the always entertaining Michelle Rodriguez, and especially Aaron Eckhart who plays the squad leader with strength and conviction.
One character compares Eckhart to John Wayne, and it is true: Eckhart is Captain America, all savvy intelligence, intensity, swagger, persistence, patriotism and granite chin.
If Battle: Los Angeles achieves anything, it should make a superstar out of America’s better character actors. It if fails at that, then it is most certain to entertain those who want their action straight to the point and with no pretence of being anything than it’s meant to be.
Let’s hope the war continues in Battle: London, with Captain Britain leading the charge. Jason Statham, anyone? |