Battle: Los Angeles (2011)

.5

Running Time: 116 Minutes
Directed By: Jonathan Liebesman

Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Michelle Rodriguez, Bridget Moynahan, Ramon Rodriguez,Ne-Yo, Lucas Till,

Screenplay: Christopher Bertolini

UK Release Date: 11th March 2011

Quick Plot: Mysterious meteorites are predicted to land in some of the earths biggest cities, London, Tokyo, etcc..and this film follows the reaction in Los Angeles. The meteorites turn out to be something the earth wasn't prepared for and US Marine Staff in LA are ordered to a rescue mission in Santa Monica.

Review: First things first, I'm angry at Empire. They reviewed the film and gave it 2 Stars when last year Skyline got 3. In no way is this worse than Skyline. And because of Empire and Film 2011's reviews to Battle: LA, I went in to the cinema with low hopes. But as soon as the aliens were in sight, I don't think my back touched the chair once. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and I thought the whole film was exhilarating. Let me tell you why:

The action, the battles, the sound and the guns. This genre of Sci-Fi/Action is one of my favourites and I haven't seen an alien film like this at the cinema this year until today (Paul doesn't count). The showing was in digital, which for me makes a hell of a difference and the sounds were explosive and perfect and it was just like music to my ears. (hahahahahahahaa)
The cast caught my eye early on and they didn't fail to deliver. Aaron Echhart was good as usual, but the rest of the cast were great! Ne-Yo was surprisingly very good as well as all the young actors including Joey King and Bryce Cass. Michelle Rodriguez and Ramon Rodriguez (I thought they were related too) were both brilliant. The aliens were cleverly designed and had a cool reason to be invading earth. All throughout the film, there are incredible explosions and missions- just what you want this film to be. There are some scenes where everything moved so quickly but it all worked well.
One day, I promise you,  I will shout, 'Get outta here!', 'Shoot now goddammit' and 'Shit, you gotta see this' when aliens one day attack the earth just like these ones did (and believe me, they will one day and I will be there ready to fight back). Battle: Los Angeles is everything I wanted Skyline to be, enthralling, entertaining and brilliant.
This is why it's so hard to rate. I don't want to choose between 3 and 4 stars. If I gave it 3, I'd feel bad because of the storyline, acting, action was all great. But if I give it 4 I look too predictable with my film reviews and it wasn't as good as The Adjustment Bureau, True Grit or Paul.
The film lacked consistency and I think if it had it all the way through, without having any scenes that were a tad boring, it would have been phenomenal like District 9, Cloverfield or War Of The Worlds (the three films Cineworld said were similar, which for once they are right) Although It's definitely not unique or special. It's everything you've seen before but it works well.


As you can now see at the top. I've given the film 3.5. I don't like films that are rated with half a star. But I honestly, can't pick with this. So take it or leave it.


Thanks for reading, and don't forget, 12 Days left to vote on my poll.

Tweet Pin It Now!