AtanariaIn 2012, the biggest surprise was Rihanna’s cinematic debut in the American blockbuster Battleship. It’s undeniable: the film was mostly talked about because of her involvement! However, this blockbuster, which prominently features aliens and the U.S. Navy, has just as many strengths as Rihanna’s hit songs (which might even be more debatable…).
Think back to Independence Day and Armageddon, and remember how these films impacted you, how their quality allowed them to stand the test of time with the same energy. Battleship now joins the ranks of these action-packed blockbusters, filled with twists and turns that make you want more!
The plot of Battleship unfolds at sea with the U.S. Navy in a battle against an alien invasion, during which two brothers, Alex and Stone Hopper, experience the most memorable moments of their lives in this fight to save the planet from invasion.
The movie begins intriguingly, delving into the private lives of the two brothers, offering a sort of backstory to their entry into the Navy. I won’t reveal more of the plot, knowing that the film has just been released in theaters and many of you might not have seen it yet.
The script is brilliantly written, as expected from the Hoeber brothers, who penned the film after their previous works Red and the excellent White Out with Kate Beckinsale. The trailer and poster’s tagline perfectly sums up the film’s atmosphere and direction: “The battle for Earth begins at sea.” Although most of the film takes place on Navy ships, part of the action also unfolds on land, involving peripheral characters connected to the central figure, Alex Hopper—his girlfriend Sam and officers from NASA and the U.S. Army. This parallel storyline adds seamless dynamism to the action and provides an extra layer of intrigue, making the plot even more exciting on multiple fronts.
As for the direction, it’s masterfully handled, with exceptional energy and precision. We expected nothing less from Peter Berg, who gave us the excellent Hancock in 2008, The Kingdom in 2007, and the film Friday Night Lights in 2006, which he later adapted into a TV series in 2009. He also directed the pilot of HBO’s new crime series Prime Suspect, starring Maria Bello.
Taylor Kitsch (as Alex Hopper)
Interestingly, Berg cast Taylor Kitsch, the star of Friday Night Lights, a series paying homage to a popular sport in the U.S.—football, as the lead in Battleship. Kitsch, who played Tim Riggins in the series, delivers a striking performance as Alex Hopper. Berg also brought in Jessie Plemons (Landry Clarke in Friday Night Lights), who plays a Marine in the film. Alongside them is Liam Neeson, a veteran actor who needs no introduction, playing Admiral Shane with his usual authority and precision. Alexander Skarsgård portrays Stone Hopper, Alex’s brother, embodying a moral figure and model fighter, a role that suits him perfectly. Finally, our famous Rihanna takes on the role of Raikes, a particularly brave and zealous Navy officer who doesn’t hesitate to jump into action, donning her cap and bulletproof vest, machine gun in hand! This role truly confirms Rihanna’s well-known acting talent, as she succeeds brilliantly: the role fits her so well that you might even think she’d make a great Navy recruit. There’s even a scene where she hums a melodic tune… A bonus gift from the production?
Although the topic of aliens has been explored many times in cinema, it feels genuinely believable in Berg’s film, where every detail matters, and the focus is on special effects. Hollywood spared no expense in making this blockbuster a resounding success in the action/disaster movie genre. Let yourself be captivated by the assault on the Pacific Ocean by a team of highly endearing and dedicated Marines, allowing you to enjoy two hours and ten minutes of top-notch entertainment. To the die-hard art-house film fans who might shun the film: Battleship might cure you of your rigid principles, just as it did for me, and prove that even in 2012, Hollywood can produce great action films full of special effects, yet still realistic, with excellent writing and performances. Embark on a sea battle accompanied by a thunderous soundtrack: plenty of AC/DC and some mind-blowing original compositions by Steve Jablonsky!
Nothing but joy aboard the destroyer Missouri with talented actors and aliens engaged in a strategic war for Earth!
