Battle: Los Angeles Review

Currently owning the box office has been the latest alien invasion flick, Battle: Los Angeles. This sci-fi movie may have hit the mark in reaching the Call of Duty generation when it came to atmosphere, but its heart (much like the oppositional aliens themselves) was slightly misplaced.

In the beginning of an alien attack across the globe, Los Angeles' military scrambles together to assemble the forces needed to send their extraterrestrial enemies packing. A team of marines begins to search through the ruin city for survivors before the bombs fall, and fight for their lives to make it from one side of the city to the other. Staff Sergeant Michael (Aaron Eckhart) and his platoon don't know what they're up against, but they're going to live or die fighting.

The movie has gathered plenty of hype with its previews, giving the classic war video game feel to an alien action piece. Its special effects are certainly well invested and its complimented with very intense action in every fight. That being said, its fast moving camera work also leaves the audience swinging everywhere. There was maybe one noticeable tripod shot in the whole movie.

What drags Battle: LA down further is that its screenplay lacks little creativity. The same lines used here could have been used ten years ago and left the same impression in terms of drama and left little for the actors to work with. More emotion is seen on the terrified children then these hardcore soldiers who go beyond duty (and quite possibly human limitations).

X-2: X-men United Review

Returning to our regular scheduled programming, it's time to look at the sequel to the 2000 film X-men, with it's sequel X-2: X-men United.

Following an assassination attempt on the President's life, mutants across the world have become more feared than ever before. Using this to his advantage Col. William Stryker (Brian Cox) puts plans into motion to deal with the "mutant problem" permanently, and the X-men are right in his crosshairs. But what connection does the mysterious colonel have to Wolverine (Hugh Jackman)? And what will they do with the recent return of their old enemy Magneto (Sir Ian McKellen)?

The second installment comes back with a bang, with action spinning everywhere in battles for survival. In each of these expanded character arcs, the script provides three-dimensional morality to each of these desperate characters on both sides of the battlefield.

Newcomer Alan Cumming as the teleporting Nightcrawler makes for an oddly symbolic and mysterious character to represent a tone of outsiders being misunderstood by society. The prosthetics for his makeup is well detailed to fully embrace the unusual and yet appealing personality.

Under Bryan Singer's direction, X-2 makes for a relatable and yet still exciting film. Certainly the best of the franchise as of yet, it's message of what it means to be different or unaccepted gives the audience a remarkably action-packed story.

Unknown Review

A serious car accident in Germany leaves Dr. Martin Harris (Liam Neeson) waking up in a hospital. When he returns to his wife Elizabeth (January Jones), he finds another man living with his wife and under his identity. With no one able to remember him, Martin struggles to find answers with the help of a taxi driver, Gina (Diane Krueger), all the while questioning who he really is.

As of late, Neeson has become a late-bloomer of an action star, inheriting a role in this movie that frankly could have been played by anyone. He just doesn't bring anything unique to the role and coming off as a very standard everyman. What makes the film intriguing is a good story that continues to twist throughout its progression and reel the viewer closer as it moves forward.

It's a decent action flick, with just a pinch of conspiracy and a dash of thriller to its final product. A lot of the cast feels overshadowed in comparison to Neeson, but the plot is enough to keep your attention. It keeps you curious and suspicious throughout, with some good, but not great, stunts.