[Review] Battle: Los Angeles - 16th March 2011

★★★ - Poor [For rating system, see information tab at top of blog] 

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Release Date: 11th March 2011
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Directors: Jonathan Liebseman
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Writer: Christopher Bertolini
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Cast: Aaron Eckhart - Ramon Rodriguez - Michelle Rodriquez - Bridget Moynahan - Ne-Yo

Review

This film seemed to appear from nowhere! - There was no extravagant advertising campaign and consequently it generated few talking points before the film surfaced.  However, prior to its release, an effective cinematic trailer was produced, - one that did it's job and persuaded me to go and see the film.

Initially the film looked like it was going to be very entertaining, respectable actors like Aaron Eckhart and Michelle Rodriguez where listed in the cast, in so I felt a sense of optimism - but unfortunately I was let down. 

As with 'Skyline,' the other recently released alien invasion film, it just simply offered nothing new. It took the perspective of a marine unit trying to save a group of civilians, and attempted to give the film a third dimension by incorporating the main characters past; a tour in Iraq that ended in him loosing several of his soldiers. The film linked this sub-narrative by establishing a relationship with one of the lost marines from this tour - a brother of a current squad member. This would have been effective if the standard narrative of the film was not so rushed - the main storyline plays out very quickly, which is not necessarily a bad thing for a high action spectacle film like 'Battle: Los Angeles', but in choosing to include this third dimension, some of the scenes became 'cheesy' and seem out of place.

I was furthermore irritated by the action sequences; they included a high degree of explosive noise and frenetic movement - A clear example of style over substance. It would have been more entertaining to see concise battle sequences, where you understand exactly what is going on, rather than to view a sequence that attempts to throw you into the action by the use of steady, hand held cameras - A technique that has previously been effective, but simply did not work in this film because of the disjointed narrative. 

In terms of the cast, it’s safe to say that they gave average, safe performances. The previously mention 'cheesy' scenes ruined the screen chemistry that did exist, and gave no opportunity for their acting to shine. Playing a solider in this type of action film does not always put much emphasis on emotion – only the obvious grief which appears when a fellow squad member is killed. 

'Battle: Los Angeles' proved to be an action film that failed to provide the third element it was aiming for, and because of this failed to really engage the viewer. It seems that currently, more films are being released that forget the importance of a believable, solid narrative, even if that narrative itself is fictional; like an alien invasion. 'Battle: Los Angeles' is unfortunately a film that falls into this category.