ViewGuide

Created Mar 12, 2011 08:16PM PST • Edited Mar 12, 2011 08:16PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   OK 2.5

   Aliens are attacking, and we need a few good men to stop them. So we send Aaron Eckhart and his squad, along with a slew of other Marines to save L.A.

   After going into this film skeptical (it happened to be the only one in the theater that fit into a narrow time frame I had today), I was somewhat pleasantly surprised. Yes, I’ve seen plenty of other invasion movies, and yes, this one generally sticks to those well known formulas, but it did offer a few new wrinkles that I appreciated.

   First of all, the film was told from the perspective of the military. Whereas “Independence Day” had Will Smith, a family man who also happened to be in the military, this one had a more authentic military feel to it. Sort of like mixing “Hurt Locker” with “War of the Worlds”. It’s a subtle distinction, but it was a refreshing change of pace. In fact, it could very well have been a propaganda movie for the Marines, highlighting the bravery and can-do attitude that they’ve become known for. We are fortunate to have them protecting us in real life.

   Secondly, the special effects were impressive. In the age of CGI, we have become accustomed to seeing grand scale destruction, and this movie offers plenty of that. But it did it well, which really added to the excitement of what was happening. The aliens seemed more real than in some of the other invasion movies.

   But, there were plenty of things about this flick I didn’t like. For one, it was a bit too long. It could have told the same story in about 20 minutes less time. It seems like the US Marine Corp was the ONLY military unit at times. Yes, one of the characters was from the Air Force, but it seemed like a token gesture.

   The movie had all of the standard military cliches. You watch it and know they’re coming, and sure enough, right on cue, there they are. It didn’t need to do that, as the story was good enough on its own.

   But, overall, it wasn’t bad. It had lots of action, almost to the point of felling like a video game. But, eventually that energy settled down a bit, building to somewhat of a climax.

4. Acting

   Good 3.0

   Eckhart does a decent job. Nothing spectacular, but better than some of his efforts I’ve seen lately. His squad seems to bring the necessary youthful exuberance to the fight and hold their own as actors.

5. Male Stars Good 3.0

6. Female Stars Good 3.0

7. Female Costars Good 3.0

8. Male Costars Good 3.0

10. Film

    Good 3.0

11. Direction OK 2.5

    Good pacing though the film helps the story. Although it seems like it may never end at times, it also didn’t really get boring.

12. Play Good 3.0

    Like I said before, it could have been about 20 minutes shorter.

13. Music OK 2.5

14. Visuals Very Good 3.5

    Impressive special effects.

15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 1.9

17. Sex Innocent 1.3

18. Violence Fierce 2.5

    Lots of alien violence and shooting. Not for younger kids.

19. Rudeness Salty 1.9

    Some language, but not too bad.

21. Reality

    Surreal 2.1

22. Circumstantial Supernatural 3.8

    Aliens invading the world could be considered supernatural I guess.

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Glib 1.4