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- Blu-ray: Battle: Los Angeles
- Rating: PG-13
- Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Michelle Rodriguez
- Written By: Chris Bertolini
- Directed By: Jonathan Liebesman
- Distributor: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- Original Year of Release: 2011
- Extras: See Below
- Series:
Battle: Los Angeles Blu-Ray Review
Simple but Exciting War Film By
Tim Janson
June 24, 2011
L.A. is under attack in Battle Los Angeles
© Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Before I start my review of Battle : Los Angeles I was just wondering…Does anyone else besides me get Aaron Eckhart mixed up with Thomas Jane? When I saw this film at theater I went through the entire film thinking that it was Thomas Jane…At any rate, I hesitate and downright refuse to call this film a Sci-Fi film and hate the comparisons to the cheese-fest known as Independence Day. Michelle Rodriguez’ big toe is more badass than Jeff Goldblum. When it comes right down to it, Battle Los Angeles is a good ol’ fashioned war movie. It could easily be a World War II era film…except for the aliens. The film wastes little time with trivial items like exposition and tosses the viewer into a war torn Los Angeles , under attack by aliens who’ve crashed to Earth in what scientists thought were meteorites.
Eckhart is Staff Sgt. Nantz but could just as easily be playing John Wayne’s tough Sgt. Stryker from “Sands of Iwo Jima” and yeah, I know I reached way back for that reference. Nantz is worn down veteran, nearing retirement and coming off disastrous tour in Iraq where his squad was killed. He’s named the new platoon sergeant of a marine unit under the command of a raw rookie officer, Lt. Martinez. The soldiers are mostly stock characters one dimensional and the type you’ve seen in any of dozens of other war films. Director Jonathan Liebesman doesn’t waste any time on developing characters but you’ll hardly notice through the almost constant hail of bullets and explosions taking place. The unit is tasked with rescuing several civilians who are trapped in a L.A. Police station. They have just three hours to locate them and get them out before the area is bombed.
Action blends seamlessly with suspense as the soldiers make their way through suburban streets and encountering the aliens face-to-face for the first time. The war hits home as they battle through backyards filled with grills and swimming pools and streets with Krispy Kreme doughnut shops and convenience stores. Battle Los Angeles takes the opposite approach that indendence Day did by making this a ground, guerilla-style war as opposed to ID4’s city destroying mega-weapons and it makes for a much more thrilling ride. The action reaches a crescendo as the unit has to rappel the civilians off a destroyed freeway overpass while under heavy fire from alien soldiers utilizing devastating walking chain guns.
When we do get a breather in action it’s generally utilized well. Nantz comes to grips with his guilt over losing his squad in Iraq and proving he is still a capable leader despite the doubts of some of the other soldiers. The team also performs a field autopsy on one of the aliens they kill to try and determine its weaknesses.
While lacking in any discernable character development…guys are killed dispensed with like old milk jugs and with just as much compassion. Little is learned about the aliens or where they come from beyond the flimsiest reasons for why they covet our world. But at least we get a better payoff than docking with the mother ship, accessing its computer systems, and giving it a virus. Sometimes it’s better to think small and Battle: Los Angeles is a perfect example of that.
BLU-RAY EXTRAS
The blu-ray comes with an abundance of bonus features.
First up is the Command Control mode. This is similar the Maximum Movie mode that Warner Bros. uses on many of their blu-rays. It’s Picture-in-Picture track featuring various interviews, some behind-the-scenes footage, storyboard comparisons, early CG animation work, and battle points. The battle points can also be watched separately and run a total of about 22 minutes.
Behind the Battle (6:44) - Making-of short which includes interviews with cast and crew. Behind-the-scenes footage playing in the background, and looks at the films almost documentary approach to filming.
Preparing for Battle (5:14) – The cast talks about their training for the roles including doing much of their own stuntwork as well as weapons training.
Aliens in L.A. (18:00) – How the aliens were developed from the CGI work to the many physical props including the exo-skeletons, bodies, and the inner physiology. The team strived to make their aliens look different than any other seen in film.
Creating L.A. in LA (5:46) - While set in Los Angeles the film was shot in Louisiana so this looks at making the bayou state look like downtown and suburban L.A.
Directing the Battle (7 min) – Director Jonathan Liebesman talks about how he created his own short, CGI animated films to send to the studios to sell his idea about Battle Los Angeles
Boot Camp (10:18) – The actors attended a boot camp for several days run by actual Marines. They lived in tents and had no access to cell phones or the like as they prepared for their roles.
The Freeway Battle (5:18) – A short look at one of the film’s key action sequences.
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I didn't get to catch this at the movies, so I just got to watch it and I enjoyed it. And there is no comparison to ID4. My biggest issue with any Alien invasion movie has always been that if the aliens were that smart and had the big weapons we shouldn't have a chance. Battle made it feel like a true war / survivial movie where in the end we might have a chance. When the movie shows the aliens moving their wounded, it was making them vulnrable; thus beatable. Good action and Eckhart does a great job. Go Human Race!