Battleship (DVD REVIEW)
Battleship
DVD Review
by Kam Williams
Board Game Screen Adaptation Features Armada’s Defense of Earth from
Aliens
Though ostensibly inspired by the
Hasbro board game of the same name, Battleship is a special f/x-driven, sci-fi
adventure that actually has much more in common with bombastic blockbusters
like Armageddon (1998), Transformers (2007) and Independence Day (1996). To its
credit, this variation on the theme does devote considerable attention to
developing a back story before letting all hell break loose.
That
gives the audience a reason to care about the characters upon the breakout of
war with bloodthirsty invaders from outer space. Another positive is director
Peter Berg’s capable cast, led by veteran thespian Liam Neeson, Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgard and Brooklyn
Decker. Along for the roller coaster ride is pop icon Rihanna, who more than
holds her own in an auspicious acting debut as Petty Officer Cora Raikes.
However, the diva’s diehard fans
might be disappointed that she doesn’t get to sing here, unless whispering a
few bars of “Sentimental Journey” counts. Furthermore, her curvy physique is
kept camouflaged for most of the movie under unflattering military fatigues.
The
picture’s point of departure is 2005, which is when we meet Stone (Skarsgard)
and Alex Hopper (Kitsch), two brothers seemingly headed in opposite directions.
The former is serving his country as captain of the destroyer USS Sampson,
while his ne’er-do-well sibling lands in jail over an attractive blonde
(Decker) whose father (Neeson) is in charge of the entire Pacific fleet.
Fast-forward
to the present where we learn that Alex has not only enlisted in the Navy, but
that he’s already risen to the rank of Lieutenant. He is also dating Samantha
over the objections of her disapproving dad who doesn’t 100% trust that her
hot-headed suitor has turned a new leaf.
Alex
is in the process of summoning up the courage to ask Admiral Shane for
permission to marry his daughter when five vessels arrive from planet G and
proceed to decimate an international armada on maneuvers in the middle of the
ocean. Suddenly, wedding plans have to take a back seat to defending the
planet.
Furthermore,
as the most senior officer aboard his ship to survive the initial attack, Alex
assumes command of the USS John Paul Jones. This affords the former bad boy an
opportunity to exhibit his bravery in the tradition of Revolutionary War hero
Jones (“I have not yet begun to fight!”) as well as a much-needed chance to
redeem himself in the eyes of his future father-in-law.
A
dizzying display of derring-do, patriotism and fearlessness in the face of an
overwhelming alien invasion on the high seas.
Very Good
(3 stars)
Rated PG-13 for profanity and intense violence.
Running time: 132 minutes
Distributor:
Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack Extras: Alternate ending; The Visual
Effects of Battleship; All Access with Director Peter Berg; USS Missouri VIP
Tour; Commander Pete; Universal’s Second Screen; digital copy of the film;
pocket BLU app; BD-Live; Preparing the Battle; All Hands on Deck: The Cast;
Engage in Battle; and more.
To see a trailer for
Battleship, visit:
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