Battle: Los Angeles (2011)

Jonathan Liebesman – Director
Christopher Bertolini - Writer
Aaron Eckhart, Michelle Rodriquez, Bridget Moynahan

Do you know what I have always found comforting about the impending doom of alien invasion? That they look so incredibly similar to us, the very beings they are attempting to colonize. Between the roughly 5’10” frame, consisting of a cylindrical trunk enclosing vital organs with 2 lateral arms extending perpendicularly off the uppermost region and a roundish head with anterior sensory features, the only apparent distinction is a quantity and length of leg-like appendages. But really, what are a few extra limbs among friends? Due to our obvious physical resemblance, it stands to reason that if you shoot them or blow them up, they will react in a similar fashion -how convenient! What with the universe being such a magnificent and diverse entity, one would think that beings from other planets might look and act a tad different. Apparently not.

Such is the case with Battle Los Angeles. Although in this instance, the human form is not the only resemblance to be found. To the untrained eye, you might find yourself wondering where Will Smith is, since you apparently stumbled into a revival of Independence Day. To the trained eye however, you would realize the distinct difference. You actually stumbled into a Glee like mash up of Black Hawk Down, Alien, War of the Worlds, Signs, as well as Independence Day. Between the same tired characters (the smart-talking, trigger-happy lieutenant, the commander with the heart of gold, the brave civilian ready to give his life), the giant metal space ship that rises out of the ground, the invasion that is first explained as a freak meteorological phenomenon, and a bit of a hang up on the ol’ H2O, there is nothing original about this retelling. But wait there’s more! Did I just hear a sampling of the Inception score? Is that the bus from Speed?

If you are looking for a basic non-stop battle scene, knock yourself out.  The script is just one bad line after another (“I won’t leave another man behind!”) and nowhere past the first 15 minutes is there any semblance of meaningful dialogue or break from the shoot-em-up action that lasts more than 5 minutes. Yes, there are a few poignant moment (of course someone must always sacrifice themselves for the cause) but where is the humor? Where is the heart or personality in any of these characters? You can tell Aaron Eckhart is doing what he can with the lines he was dealt but not even he can connect to the audience.

Overall, it serves its purpose; though don’t expect any good alien details a-la District 9 or War of the Worlds. There are some good special effects of LA in ruins and the score is better than some (though I still maintain Liebesman sampled Inception) but really people, can’t anyone come up with an original plot anymore?