5.8
When once distant UFOs become a terrifying threat and an alien invasion force begins attacking Earths major costal and riverside cities, a U.S Marine staff sergeant and his team are sent into battle only to find they must take it upon themselves to defeat an unknown enemy and protect what remains of Los Angeles.
Aaron Eckhart
Michael Nantz
Ramón Rodríguez
William Martinez
Will Rothhaar
Cpl. Lee Imlay
Michael Peña
Joe Rincon
Bridget Moynahan
Michelle
Noel Fisher
Pfc. Shaun Lenihan
Joey King
Kirsten
Beth Keener
Kathy Martinez
Jessica Heap
Jessy
Cory Hardrict
Cpl. Jason Lockett
Jim Parrack
Peter Kerns
Gino Anthony Pesi
Cpl. Nick Stavrou
Ne-Yo
Kevin Harris
James Hiroyuki Liao
Steven Mottola
Adetokumboh M'Cormack
Corpsman Jibril Adukwu
Bryce Cass
Hector Rincon
Michelle Rodriguez
Elena Santos
Neil Brown Jr.
LCpl. Richard Guerrero
Taylor Handley
LCpl. Corey Simmons
Lucas Till
Cpl. Scott Grayston
Kenneth Brown Jr.
Cpl. Richard Oswald
Jadin Gould
Amy
Joe Chrest
1st Sgt. John Roy
E. Roger Mitchell
Company Captain
Rus Blackwell
Lt. Col. K.N. Ritchie
Susie Abromeit
Amanda
Brandi Coleman
Cherise
David Jensen
Psychiatrist
Stacey Turner
Reporter on TV
Tom Hillmann
Reporter on TV
Lena Clark
Chris
Jamie Norwood
Flower Shop Employee
Todd Cochran
Command Hangar Marine
Nzinga Blake
Adukwu's Sister
Taryn Southern
Reporter on Beach
James D. Dever
Sgt. Major
Alex Aristidis
Beach Goer (uncredited)
Charlotte Biggs
Emergency Medical Tech. (uncredited)
Ava Bogle
Beach Girl 1 (uncredited)
Grant Case
Marine (uncredited)
Kurt Deville
Marine (uncredited)
Nick Jones Jr.
Marine (uncredited)
Phillip Lawrence
U.S. Marine (uncredited)
Keith Middlebrook
Steve Johinson (uncredited)
Courtney Munch
Marine Crew Chief
Jim Palmer
Crew Chief (uncredited)
Michelle Pierce
Shelly (uncredited)
Michael Wozniak
Beach Dude (uncredited)
Marlon Young
Sergeant Major (uncredited)
Sam Arnold
Sgt David Higgins (uncredited)
Director
Jonathan Liebesman
Writer
Christopher Bertolini
December 30, 2017
When it comes to violent film - I'm divided. I don't go out of my way to watch movies about actual, historical battles, because I know that real people died (or were physically or mentally crippled); sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, mothers and fathers . . . even children. The prospect of of reliving those tragic (even if heroic) deaths is too painful for me.
And yet, give me an alien invasion and I'm "all up in that". I find the fantasy of war exciting, and yet I have to be aware of how such films glorify violence; glorify war. I'm conflicted, enjoying this guilty pleasure.
I'm a little surprised by the low rating. Have there been too many movies of this sort? a burnout by the viewing public? A burnout - when it comes to war? Another sign that we might be a war-weary nation / world?
As for me, I don't watch a lot of flicks, so I'm not "burnt out" when it comes to military action films. So, this was not "same-o, same-o" for me.
I thought the script was impressively tight. That applies to character development as well; quick snap-shot profiles; a glance, a nod and you had pretty much all you needed to know about this or that character.
I'm not a fan of the "shaky-cam", but I thought it was well employed in some of the battle scenes. I've never been in such a situation, but I think the camera gave us that sense of heart-pounding, out of control terror that being shot at and bombed can produce; often no knowing even where the fire is coming from as you hunker down and question your very soul.
Yes, this is a familiar theme - seasoned tough old lifer in charge of a bunch of kids - typical of many such films (Heartbreak Ridge comes to mind; many more).
I wonder, also, if there is more of a connection with military vets; something the civilian population can never really get (no offense; just fact; I served but never got shot at)? From my experience, I thought the military portrayal was pretty spot on (military gear, tactics, fallibility, rank, age differences, rancor, "I got your 6", sense of duty and dedication to mission; never give up, never surrender).
Predictable formula script? sure, in some ways, but I found plenty of surprises as well. Maybe if I watched this sort of film all the time, I'd be as cynical as many here.
I really enjoyed this film (gave it 8/10; probably would have given it 7 1/2, but it deserves better than what I see others giving it).
Recent revelations from sources such Bigelow and Elizondo, have all but confirmed that we are being visited by aliens. And, who knows, maybe they will decide to harvest our water before we contaminate it any further, as we creep and crawl closer and closer to our own nuclear annihilation.