Battle Los Angeles, 2011

Battle Los Angeles, 2011
Director: Jonathan Liebsmann
Cast: Aaron Eckhart, Michelle Rodriguez, Bridget Moynahan



Battle LA in short: Los Angeles and other cities around the world are being bombarded by meteors that seem to be slowing down once they hit the earth's atmosphere. The earth is suddenly being invaded by space aliens that have landed off the shore of LA, and who begin killing everybody along the beach. The military is ordered into action. Marine Staff Sergeant Nantz (Aaron Eckhart), who was about to retire, is reassigned to a new platoon. The platoon, flown by chopper to the forward operating base at Santa Monica Airport, is being led by a new 2nd Lt. Martinez (Ramon Rodriguez). They are sent on a mission to rescue some civilians who are trapped at the police station within alien territory. They only have 3 hours to complete their mission and get out before the Air Force bombs that zone.


Stage: home theatre, late Friday night.


Preps: Hm, actually wanted to see this one at the movies, but missed it. Nevertheless, a good way to see it might be also at home. The expectations are a bit low, though.


Reality: Another good will rise against evil story. Another praise the US marines movie. And yet, another clone of the Independence Day. As much as I loved that one (mostly because it also strikes some humorous upgrades from what I would normally expect, and for Will Smith's sake), this one, the Battle for LA is some clone between Die Hard and all the stack of "aliens are striking the US, which is about to die or to save the world". No real difference in Independence Day, to be exact, however, least I found that one humorous and had luvable actors. Well, this piece lacks of anything I can hold on to in order to get me to stay alert in front of the screen.

Some Bruce Willis (noone is going to kill me) mumbo jumbo. The retired colonel is striking back and showing new rookies how things should be handled. A bit underestimating of the viewer. Hence, also lower rate of allert on my side. The scenes are more or less similar and boring. Uninterested, I still find some will to go through this. The plot is simple; alien is coming, we are the brave guys to attack it. Find its weak spot and save some civilians at the same time. It's surprisingly how much effort the countries around the world are trying to put into the mere idea, that "we don't leave our men behind". I don't buy it. Nevertheless, it's shown in many movies. Saving private Ryan, to name just one of them. Is any type of government going to spend people and money to get two or three people out of the red zone, just for the sake of human respect? I doubt it. Nevertheless, leaving this fact aside, the movie shows how 20 soldiers die in order to save five civilians. And destroy numerous emmos and weapons while doing it.

The movie lacks respect towards the viewer - as the scenes proceed from less believable to totally unbelievable, my patience is decreasing not in a constant way, but in an exponent. The victory, is obvious, the painful procedure before they figure out what to do, took the director too long. A nice surprise is the girl from Lost and from SWAT and other tough movies - Michelle Rodriguez, always acting in a Xena role, however as a soldier or a tough woman. I like her and I like her style. This movie doesn't give her the room she deserves, but most definitely puts her in a spot where we are used of seeing her.

The movie is at least half an hour too long and I am so glad I didn't spend the money on the movies for this one. Neither should you.


My personal rate: 2,0 (not many highlights, but still, some amusing scenes. And it's always fun to see the creativity of a director when having another alien torn apart).


Battle LA on IMDB