It appears the onslaught of alien-invasion plots will continue to occupy our movies and television shows indefinitely. The TNT cable network is currently producing a large scale TV show called “Falling Skies” about this very theme. And we are already in the second season of “V” on ABC — a show about aliens arriving in peace but having not-so-subtle intentions.
But on the big screen, not many years go by without this plot being tried and retried over and over. “Independence Day,” “Cloverfield,” “Predator,” “Superman ll,” “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” “War of the Worlds” and “District 9” are just some of the few that come to mind.
This brings us to “Battle: Los Angeles,” another grand scale special effects alien invasion film coming to theaters this month. The movie deals with a Marine platoon faces off against an alien invasion in Los Angeles. It stars Aaron Eckhart (“Dark Knight”), Ramon Rodriguez (“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”), Bridget Moynahan (“I,Robot”) and Michelle Rodriguez (“Avatar”) and will be directed by Jonathan Liebesman (“Darkness Falls”). This is, without a doubt, a fine cast, but how will this project be different from the rest? What will it do to bring the masses in to theaters?
Having a unique twist in the plot or sprinkling it with a comedic touch helped previous alien-invasion movies to lure them in. One thing most of them did excel in was special effects. Each better than the last. Some became outdated by the last and others actually still stand the test of of time.
So the question is: with this year bringing in a slew of aliens to our theaters (i.e. “Thor,” “Green Lantern” and “Cowboys and Aliens”) what advantage will “Battle: Los Angeles” have? Well, in my opinion, it has a few. The movie is first up in the long line of special effects movies this year. It will pave the way for the rest and set the bar. This is its biggest advantage. And if you watch the clips below, you will see exactly what I mean. They delve a little into the plot and spoil a particular moment in the movie, but it’s not a biggie.
The cast is also a big advantage. Michelle Rodriguez seems to be on fire lately and Aaron Eckhart is a good luck charm, as well. I am most excited to watch these two. What about you? Will you catch this one in the big screen, or will it be a rental? Sound off in the comment section.
“Battle: Los Angeles” with invade theaters on March 11, 2011.
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I for one have been lured in over and over again, the most recent and atrocious would have to be last years Skyline. Teased by brief looks at massive motherships and action the film proved to be a complete letdown. I am however excited for this film based on its cast and the look of the film. I really hope that it is as epic as the clips make it seem.
I’m with Adam, this movie just plain looks freaking awesome. I’ll tell you what! On Friday, I am going to go in that movie theater purely for eye candy. I am leaving any expectations of a plot or theme at home locked in my safe. If this movie can keep this level of awesomeness for more than 20 minutes, I’ll be a happy man.
I am a realist, by not expecting anything, I shouldn’t be disappointed when the movie turns out to be plot-less. Now, if by some miracle it does have a plot, then I will be pleasantest surprised, but that will just be gravy.
There’s only one thing that worries me. This type of movie is usually reserved for summer, why is it being released now? Are they worried that their movie is not going to stand up to summer blockbusters? Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Something to think about. Kick-ass was released close to this time and that turned out to be one of my favorite movies of last year. We’ll see.