Reviewed by Kate Rodger
It’s kind of a long name really – World Invasion: Battle Los Angeles, named perhaps to secure sequels like Battle New York or Battle London maybe?
So its a battle, not the whole war, this alien invasion story is seen from the eyes of one Marine platoon of new recruits, as they’re called up to secure the rescue of trapped civilians, as an unknown force blasts LA to smithereens.
The first thing you do here is buy a jumbo popcorn, settle back and shift the brain gears into neutral, then strap yourself in for the US Marines versus an alien invasion..
So, aliens land, they most definitely do not come in peace, and our Marines step up to do their thing. That thing is a little uncertain, their training kicks in, but they’re used to fighting human insurgents, not extra-terrestrial invaders.
This is a mostly good cast, spearheaded by Aaron Eckhart as the combat-weary Staff-Sergent Nantz, who hands in his fatigues minutes before the World Invasion only to charge back into battle.
His character and back-story are just two of gazillion cinematic clichés peppering this blockbuster, but Eckhart’s all-class delivery does serve to distract from that nicely.
Michelle Rodriguez seems to be the go-to soldier girl of late, and along with a few fresh faces, manages to carry this story along, for what it is, pretty convincingly.
I confess I was in the mood for a big screen alien invasion and while this one won’t change your life, it will entertain you for a couple of hours. I will say too, the combat scenes in this are a highlight, as is Aaron Eckhart.
Three and a half stars.
3 News
World Invasion: Battle Los Angeles
:: Director: Jonathan Liebesman
:: Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Michelle Rodriguez, Joey King, Noel Fisher, Lucas Till, Michael Peña, Ne-Yo
:: Running Time: 116 mins
:: Rating: M - Contains Violence and offensive language
:: Release Date: March 24, 2011
:: Trailer: Watch here
source: newshub archive
