The problem with Battle: Los Angeles is that it tries too hard. The film is much more of a war drama than an alien invasion flick. And while I appreciate the film’s viewpoint, it is ultimately the lack of substantial dialogue and genuine pathos that cause this film to fail. If the movie would have been edited down and dealt with its pacing issues, it could have proved to be a solid popcorn flick and crowd pleaser. Instead, there is an unnecessary 30 minutes or so added on to the running time that attempts to give the movie more of a heart. The problem with that is you can’t fake emotion with a cardboard script.
Along with the thought of getting some 7-11 BBQ wings immediately after the theater let out, I kept thinking of other movies that succeeded far more with some of the ideas B: LA had. So here’s a list of 7 films I think you should check out instead of Battle: Los Angeles. Oh, and if you’re wondering, 7-11 wings are actually delicious. You wouldn’t expect much out of them but they are delightful and impossible to get out of your head if you get the hankering.
The mother of all alien flicks, or at least the blockbuster of them all. Sure Independence Day has it’s flaws but it’s total fun. The graphics are a bit dated in comparison to B:LA but seeing Will Smith punch and alien while saying “Welcome to Erf” is a solid reason to watch it again.
This is a great modern-day depiction of gritty war drama. It seems that B:LA tries hard to be Black Hawk Down but never gets there.
District 9 is a fantastic modern sci-fi drama, made with that documentary feel. The film boasts some really impressive visuals but the treatment of its characters (both human and alien alike) is what really makes this a stand out film.
This is an honest pick. No matter what your views are on the Transformer films, the first in the series, directed by explosions compulsionist Michael Bay, is pure entertainment. I had a great time in the theater watching the bots fight and fly. I couldn’t have asked for much more.
Cloverfield is a great example of a fim that effectively used the “shaky cam” technique. It gave the film a fresh point of view and made the viewer feel involved with the action. B:LA used shaky cam when filming the characters outside of the battle scenarios. It felt very bizarre, as if we were supposed to imagine someone else was there filming, which… wasn’t at all the case. There’s even a “serious” moment in the middle of the film where two characters embrace and the camera angle cuts out to this supremely awkward aerial view that suggests the camera is watching them from a far…or something. It was very out of place.
The updated WOTW is flawed, but is about 90% awesome in my book. The movie is a thrill ride that will keep you glued throughout the characters’ struggle for survival. The other 10% is Dakota Fanning screaming and a shallow ending that cleans up a little too nicely.
As overrated as I found the movie to be, The Hurt Locker is still a great film. It effortlessly weaves suspense, tension and realism into a story with real emotion.