SYNOPSIS: Peter Berg (Hancock) produces and directs Battleship, an epic-scaled action-adventure that unfolds across the seas, in the skies and over land as our planet fights for survival against a superior force. Inspired by Hasbro’s classic naval combat game, Battleship stars Taylor Kitsch as Lt. Alex Hopper, a Naval officer assigned to the USS John Paul Jones; Brooklyn Decker as Sam Shane, a physical therapist and Hopper’s fiancée; Alexander Skarsgård as Hopper’s older brother, Stone, Commanding Officer of the USS Sampson; Rihanna as Petty Officer Raikes, Hopper’s crewmate and a weapons specialist on the USS John Paul Jones; and international superstar Liam Neeson as Hopper and Stone’s superior (and Sam’s father), Admiral Shane.

REVIEW:

Admiral Shane: Prepare to fire. 
Crew member: Sir, which weapons? 
Admiral Shane: All of them.

This movie fires all weapons and does not hold back. It is action packed, intense, and chock full of eye candy. This is the type of movie that is easy pickins for critics to devour. What they seemingly fail to realize is that a movie like this is exactly that; it is what it is, nothing more, nothing less. It is an action adventure with enough eye candy of all sorts to entertain and it does exactly that. Aren’t most summer action adventure mainstream blockbusters all about the action, adventure, special effects, and overall eye candy? What else would you expect from a movie based on a Hasbro game, with a mega budget, an attractive cast, a not-too-complicated but farfetched story, and all directed by a man that knows what he’s doing when it comes to action adventures? I would put Director Peter Berg in the same category as Michael Bay, for example. I for one am a fan of his work and this film is no different. He did not disappoint me at all. Actually for me, it was better than I expected. It was thrilling to see a mostly naval based adventure because it’s not that common (above the ocean surface that is). He pulled it off nicely. I mean, really, a movie based on the Battleship game has got to have been a tremendous challenge. Of course, the movie really stretches the premise of the game but hey, it was entertaining and it worked. The film is just cool, I’m sorry, and it’s sexy and fun too! For a sci-fi flick it is quite realistic. I thoroughly enjoyed the maritime warfare and overall combat action. The special effects were good and so was the cinematography. The destruction and devastation did not get to complete apocalyptic levels but what was shown was effective.

Among the unexpected characteristics of the movie was the decent amount of drama and some touching moments of inspiration and patriotism. I’m a sucker for all that so I enjoyed those features of the film as well. It was tastefully and appropriately used and not hard at all to incorporate. There is also some humor to give it levity. And then there’s the cast. Liam Neeson’s role is too small to make a strong impact to the film but, of course, he was excellent with it nonetheless. How about the eye candy for the guys, Rihanna and Brooklyn Decker? Well it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why they were cast in this film, but regardless they actually did okay. Hey, it could have been like Mariah Carey and Paris Hilton, so . . . Rihanna and Brooklyn are not so bad. But the movie is really all about Taylor Kitsch and he was sharp considering the context. He played his character well; from zero to hero. But actually, the real star of the show, or should I say stars, are the ships themselves, none larger than the Mighty Mo, the battleship U.S.S. Missouri. If you decide to give this movie a chance and you enjoy summer blockbusters, you won’t be disappointed.

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