It seems that Hollywood still hasn't finished with L.A. Or should that be trying to finish L.A.?
The city, along with New York, is always ripe for the taking and here we see, well, exactly what we've seen before really. Director Jonathan Liebesman has taken what the "Skyline" and "Monsters" trailers promised and didn't deliver and tried to please everyone that he can. However, in trying to do so, he ends up pleasing no one.
His mesh of so many well-trodden cliches becomes unengaging and wearily familiar - the jaded Marine who's getting out for good then the call-to-arms is issued (should have learnt from Danny Glover's Murtough!), the wet-behind-the-ears commander who's never seen battle and freezes when required to lead... there's even a grunt who's about to be married (but not an RAF pilot who has "one more flight" before the big day this time round luckily!) Heck, they even get to squeeze in the obligatory "Disaster Movie Dog."
Eckhart genuinely seems embarrassed by his dialogue but at least he doesn't get the "maybe I can help? I'm a veterinarian," line when it comes to figuring out how to kill the nasty aliens. And that line is NOT delivered tongue-in-cheek, which is part of the problem. All up on the screen is straight-laced and "Private Ryan"-like hand-held camera work to make it feel real and fact-based. But when you're mimicking the likes of "Independence Day" you should respect and serve up the cheese.
Coming across as the story that would have been if they did "Cloverfield" from the perspective of the military rather than the civilians, "Battle: L.A." is a prime example of a join-the-dots movie where no surprises delight in this predictable, effects-driven film. So average it's disappointing.
UK release date: 11/03/11
Certificate: 12A
Steve, I have to disagree with your review of B:LA - I found it refreshing, totally unpretentious (unlike Cloverfield in retrospect) and totally preposterous and thoroughly enjoyable romp. I was entertained and found myself frothed up as I sat watching this big, bombastic, noisy and exciting action film. Having watched (I admit it) the dross that was Skyline, I was hoping for better things. The earnest and misunderstood Ranger with a cliche ridden platoon of White/Hispanic/AfricanAmerican misfits, rookie Lieutenant and trailer park 8 milers and gangly oozing and ridiculous ETs doing battle on the streets of a city I've never visited - what's not to like!!! Come on my friend - we've seen Daylight together and enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteBut Daylight knew it was ridiculous and ran with it - all the way up to the tunnel entrance. Here they try for documentary style realism - to pull that off you need to ditch the stereo types or cliches. Otherwise any progress you make through plot, effects or set pieces gets knocked back when the heard it all before dialogue spews forth from the seen them all before characters.
ReplyDeleteAre you seriously telling me that B:LA is trying to be a serious film? If it's trying to be anything, it's taking the squad game genre and turning it into a fight for life movie experience. The production values are very good, the effects decent and engaging and the dialogue is of course stilted and a little cliched, however it doesn't detract from any of the action in my opinion. And Daylight is devoid of stereotypes? I want some of what you're smoking Pal!
ReplyDeleteDaylight is all stereotypes however not only does it embrace that fact, but it hams it up as well. I'm guessing that maybe you didn't see Battle: LA in the cinema? Maybe the disappointment stems from paying to see it and then being served up reheated leftovers from other movie meals rather than a fresh serving of celluoid perhaps?....
ReplyDeleteI'd like you to explain to how Daylight knew it was ridiculous? Where did it embrace its stereotypes? It wasn't well written enough to give the audience a sense of ownership over the group of formula characters. There was no humour that would normally act as the device to show the audience it's not taking itself too seriously. I enjoyed the film and thank you again for taking me along; it was a genre film, generic, formulaic, what was there not to like? The same applies to B:LA which was an action film, unlike the soft core morality pedalled by Independence Day. You want me to disclose having not paid for it....a little uncalled for on a public forum, but no I didn't. I was looking forward to seeing it at some point, but many factors preclude me being able to attend the cinema these days. I will gladly purchase the Blu Ray when it's released however!
ReplyDeleteApologies for a rather 'irritated' response previously, but herein lies the very subjective nature of commenting on films. What I like about this blog, is that you're clearly a movie fan, not just someone who critiques. When I like a film, I really like it - reference a long running dislike of Volcano over Dante's Peak! - it's as much about personal taste! We will no doubt have to beg to differ on the good. bad, ugly of this film. But again, what I'm more appreciative of now is that I can have this argument with a true film fan! I'm getting touchy in my old age as well! Now don't get me started on Tron Legacy............
ReplyDeleteTron: Legacy.... See you over there at the review for the next showdown - unless of course you thought it was ok but then felt wanting after the end credits had rolled? Then we're on the same side my dear sir!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to watch again to make sure my beef is justified - eye candy doth not maketh an entertaining film alone good man!
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