Battle: Los Angeles (2011)

I got chance to watch this special effects bonanza a couple of days ago. There’s no plot really, the film is essentially a Saving Private Ryan-esque take on the alien invasion movie. From start to finish the film follows a group of marines attempting to battle their way out of Los Angeles under the direction of Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz (Aaron Eckhart), a man who they don’t entirely trust because he got some of his men killed during the Iraq conflict although as the film progresses he predictably wins their confidence. It’s more violent than Starship Troopers and has a plot less interesting than Lost in Translation which is quite an accomplishment on both fronts. It isn’t a good film particularly but as popcorn flicks go I suppose it’s an enjoyable yarn. Basically it was just an excuse to blow the shit out of Los Angeles and echoes other alien invasion films such as District 9 and Independence Day in this respect (although in no way was it as good as either). Since this is the second alien invasion movie released in the last year I suspect it will also be twinned with Skyline although I’ve yet to see that film so can’t say for certain how similar they are. If you get chance give it a watch but you won’t be missing much if you never see it. Stars Aaron Eckhart, Michelle Rodriguez and Bridget Moynahan.