Culture

Directed by Jonathan Liebesman. (2/5).
It’s a challenge to fit the many cinematic faux pas and clichés that Battle: Los Angeles exhibits into 350 words, but I’ll give it my best shot…with a vengeance.
 
 

Battle: Los Angeles tells the story of a squad of Marines who are sent to recover a group of civilians from the front lines of an alien invasion that has come to claim earth’s natural resources. Within this rather basic concept are many personal tales that, rather than deepening our understanding of characters, only serve to draw away from the main story line and further lengthen an already lengthy movie.

 
Expect the following action movie clichés, in no particular order: war-weary lieutenant out for one last mission before retirement, soon-to-be father and inexperienced soldier given his first platoon of Marines, young hillbilly yet to see action but quick to ask stupid questions and get himself into trouble, psychologically scarred Marine, soldier with grudge against commanding officer who led his elder brother into battle and death, solo father with young child who is told to be a man, constant saluting to American flag, female soldier who has to step up once the fight started, numerous low angle shots of Marines backlit by setting sun, attractive middle-aged women who forms bond with lead man, incredibly extended sequences of “leave me here, I will not leave you, leave me here, no man left behind!” You get the picture.

 
When the clichés are coupled with an abominable script, hand-held camera throughout the entire movie (presumably to add realism, but only serving to induce sea sickness), the atrocious and entirely over the top score, unbelievably cheesy dialogue and poor acting for the majority of the film, there is little that saves Battle: Los Angeles. That said, it is an action movie and never for one moment tries to be anything else.  
 

As long as you dramatically lower your expectations you should rather enjoy this movie, because in the end it’s just a big scrap between aliens and humans. Relax and let yourself laugh when you’re watching the film and all will be well. If you have some spare change it’s one way to spend an afternoon. And yes, the black man dies first.