BATTLESHIP-The Movie

This movie does not live up to the hype from the trailers seen on television, during the Super bowl.  Based on the board game, the Navy is in the Pacific doing war games, when the message released into space is answered.  The aliens have the ability to isolate an area and both sides cannot see each other unless hit.

The subplot was predictable from the first scenes with the two brothers meeting in a bar and one being the responsible, military man who knows what he wants and how to get it, played by Alexander Skarsgaard as Stone Hopper.  While Taylor Kitsch plays Alex Hopper, the younger, irresponsible brother, although highly intelligent has no direction and true character with a cocky, I don’t care attitude.

Entering the scene is Brooklyn Decker, as Samantha, daughter of Liam Neeson as Admiral Shane, a by-the-book career military man, who is immediately entranced by the bad boy appeal of Kitsch.

Start with a new technology that can allow this planet to send out a signal to wherever in space and the military intelligence steps in to get communication, with aliens who are not dramatic or alien enough for most sci-fi fanatics. 

The aliens in this movie are so underplayed that is it almost human-like, similar to humans who had been affected by the atom bomb or Chernobyl on this planet, just taller and bigger with Predator-like suits.  The shield imposed by the aliens has been seen in such works as Independence Day, Eureka, and long forgotten Twilight Zone, should have been centered around the receive and send site for the satellite transmissions.

Battleship: Is it worth the cost of a movie ticket and snacks?

Tadanobu Asano, playing Nagata, a Japanese nemesis to Taylor Kitsch, shows the camaraderie and patriotism, which is possible when people work together for a common cause.

U.S. Army Colonel Gregory D. Gatson as Mick Bell, a double amputee, makes you proud to be an American, while seeing the struggles and triumphs of the veterans, returning from war with limbs gone, dignity lost, and little hope for the future.  This was one of the greatest triumphs in the movie and perfectly played by the highly decorated and brave Gatson.

Another great moment in the movie, which all Americans will love and want to own the movie, is the resurrection of the Battleship-USS Missouri, along with some of the original crew members from that era.

Hamish Linklater, who plays Cal said that when working with Pete Berg, who's directing Battleship, Berg would say, "This script is a blueprint! I want it all improvised, and whatever happens on the day is what we'll shoot."

With a $200 million dollar budget this movie should have rocked the house and the box offices.  Battleship is a movie you would want to rent or own, because paying $10 for admittance, adding 13.50 for popcorn and drink, seems a bit extreme. 

The plot is too predictable, the aliens too human-like and the main characters, like Peter MacNicol, as Secretary of Defense, totally unbelievable, especially when Liam Neelson, a mere Admiral, can hang up on him.  A Secretary of Defense should have been someone like Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis or Sigourney Weaver.

It was disappointing that there were no nail biting, chair holding and scary gasping from the audience with so large a budget and cast.

At  A Glance:
$200 million budget movie with average appeal and acting, except for true military personnel, who performed above the norm.

Movie is worth renting or owning, especially for historical value of personnel and true historical props.

Sites to see reviews and trailers:
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/reviewsnews.php?id=90339

http://www.vulture.com/2011/07/hamish_linklater_the_future.html

http://www.battleshipmovie.net/battleship-facts.html