Battleship

I cannot explain it but this is literally my favorite movie. It’s just your basic alien action movie but I watch this movie no less than once a month and I can’t stop. 🤷🏼‍♀️

There is only one reason to watch this movie and it’s the scene of the battle. Ok two reasons if you include Rihanna

love bc I remember watching this in the theaters at 12 y/o & being so hyped lol

Battleship steams onto the screen as a sprawling military science fiction action film, loosely based on the classic board game by Hasbro. Directed by Peter Berg, the film pits a small contingent of U.S. and Japanese warships against a technologically superior alien fleet in the Pacific. Starring Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgård, Brooklyn Decker, and featuring Rihanna in her acting debut, the film promises large-scale destruction and naval combat. My initial reaction was one of cautious optimism for a fun, popcorn spectacle, given its pedigree. My overall impression is that Battleship delivers on the spectacle, offering an abundance of explosions and impressive visual effects, but struggles to maintain a coherent narrative or compelling character arcs, ultimately feeling more like a loud video game cutscene than a cohesive cinematic experience.

Rating:
5.3/10 ⭐️ (★★ - Disappointing)
A disappointing rating for a film that prioritizes explosive action over compelling storytelling and character development, failing to elevate its board game premise beyond pure spectacle.

The Good:
* Narrative & Story (Strengths): The core premise of an alien invasion at sea, forcing naval forces to adapt and fight, has undeniable potential for thrilling action. The "game" aspect, where the ships must use sonar and grid-like tactics to locate enemies, is a clever nod to the source material and provides some genuinely tense moments. The use of the decommissioned USS Missouri and the ingenuity of the crew in bringing it back into action offers a nostalgic and heroic element.
* Directing & Filmmaking (Strengths): Peter Berg excels at directing large-scale action sequences. The naval battles are chaotic, well-choreographed, and often thrilling, showcasing the immense power of the warships and the alien technology. The pacing is generally fast, ensuring there's rarely a dull moment when the action is on screen. The film has a clear, energetic vision for its set pieces.
* Technical Aspects (Strengths): The visual effects are arguably the film's strongest suit. The alien ships, their weaponry, and the sheer scale of the destruction are rendered with impressive detail and impact. The design of the alien "shredders" and their destructive capabilities is quite memorable. Steve Jablonsky's score, with contributions from Tom Morello, is appropriately bombastic and adrenaline-pumping, perfectly matching the film's epic action sequences. The sound design is robust, effectively conveying the force of naval gunfire and alien blasts.
* Enjoyment & Engagement: If viewed purely as a loud, unapologetic popcorn flick, Battleship can be sporadically enjoyable. The grand-scale destruction and the sheer audacity of the premise provide some mindless fun. The moments where the "Battleship" game mechanics are explicitly used are clever and engaging.

The Not So Good:
* Narrative & Story (Weaknesses): The plot is extremely thin and often illogical, serving primarily as a flimsy excuse for the action sequences. The initial setup of Alex Hopper's undisciplined behavior and the forced romance with Samantha Shane feels contrived. The alien motivations are vague, and their tactical decisions often defy logic, simply existing to provide obstacles for the heroes. The narrative struggles to build genuine tension or stakes beyond the immediate threat of destruction.
* Characters (Weaknesses): Character development is largely absent. Taylor Kitsch's Alex Hopper is a generic rebellious hero, and his transformation feels unearned. Brooklyn Decker's Samantha Shane exists mainly as a damsel in distress or motivational object. Rihanna, in her acting debut as Cora Raikes, is largely one-note, delivering lines with limited emotional range, though she performs adequately in the action scenes. Liam Neeson's Admiral Shane is underutilized, his presence feeling like a contractual obligation rather than a pivotal role. The aliens themselves are bland and lack any discernable personality or threat beyond their destructive capabilities.
* Directing & Filmmaking (Weaknesses): While the action is well-directed, the film struggles significantly with its quieter, character-driven moments, which feel clunky and uninspired. The attempts at humor often fall flat, and the dramatic beats feel forced. The film's overall tone is inconsistent, veering between serious military drama and almost comedic sci-fi absurdity.
* Technical Aspects (Weaknesses): While the CGI is impressive, the sheer quantity of it, combined with the lack of tangible stakes, can lead to visual fatigue. Some of the alien designs, particularly the foot soldiers, feel generic.
* Enjoyment & Engagement (Negatives): Despite the relentless action, the lack of compelling characters or a strong emotional core makes it difficult to truly care about the outcome. The film feels bloated and overlong, with stretches that drag when the explosions subside. The overall experience is more of a visual assault than a satisfying story.

The Verdict:
Battleship is a prime example of a film that prioritizes spectacle over substance. While Peter Berg delivers on the promise of explosive naval warfare with impressive visual effects and a pulsating score, the film's paper-thin plot, underdeveloped characters, and often illogical narrative choices prevent it from being anything more than a fleeting, loud distraction. It's a cinematic experience that might appeal to those seeking pure, unadulterated blockbuster action without much concern for coherence or character depth. Ultimately, it’s a disappointing adaptation of a simple board game that fails to make its grand ambitions truly memorable.

Optional Additional Categories:
* Genre & Tone: The film is primarily a military science fiction action film, leaning heavily into a bombastic, almost jingoistic tone at times, though it tries to incorporate elements of character drama that often fall flat.
* Target Audience: Geared towards a younger male audience interested in explosions, military hardware, and alien invasion narratives. It lacks the broader appeal that more character-driven blockbusters often achieve.
* Originality & Innovation: As an adaptation of a board game, its premise is inherently unusual. However, its execution rarely feels innovative, often borrowing heavily from other alien invasion and disaster films.
* Themes & Messages (Further Discussion): Themes of redemption, teamwork (particularly between US and Japanese forces), and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds are present, but they are broadly painted and lack subtlety amidst the destruction.
* Comparison to Other Films: It draws immediate comparisons to Michael Bay's Transformers franchise due to its Hasbro origins, emphasis on massive CGI destruction, and overall bombastic style. It also fits within the "alien invasion action" subgenre alongside films like Battle: Los Angeles or Independence Day, though it lacks the charm or memorable characters of the latter.

what a fuckn movie.

bad