Battle: Los Angeles
2011  PG-13  SCIENCE FICTION  1h 56min
CAST— Aaron Eckhart, Michelle Rodriguez, Ramon Rodriguez, Bridget Moynahan, Ne-Yo, Michael Peña
MUSIC— Brian Tyler  DIRECTOR— Jonathan Liebesman

     A been-there-done-that mashup that’s equal parts Black Hawk Down (2001) and District 9 (2009)… but surprisingly entertaining. Aaron Eckhart plays a lifelong marine staff sergeant who isn’t getting any younger. He grudgingly decides to retire when (wouldn’t you know it) aliens decide to attack Earth. He’s assigned to a squad of young hotshots fresh out of diapers who are itching to prove themselves on the battlefield. But reality soon sets in; not only must they face off against the invading hordes but they all need to keep a cool head if they are to survive their first mission. The film presents its characters (with the exception of Eckhart) as the stereotypical jarheads everyone expects; nobody is expecting anything new going into this one, anyway. Though we’ve all seen this formula countless times the film is never boring. An SF shoot ‘em up that is almost as much fun as it is predictable. AKA: Battle: LA, World Invasion: Battle Los Angeles.
OUR RATING— ** ½