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Battleship
- Review Date: May 15, 2012
- PG-13
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 2012
Common Sense Media says
Over-the-top sci-fi action with great special effects.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Battleship (inspired by the classic Hasbro board game) is the kind of summer alien adventure that, like Independence Day, features a doomsday alien invasion that only a select armed forces group can fight against. As you'd expect, there's a high body count -- mostly due to all of the building- and ship-destroying explosions that the aliens -- though not much gore. Many high-tech weapons are used, one female character dresses somewhat suggestively, and the language can be occasionally salty -- "s--t," "bitch," and two cut-off exclamations of "motherf--er." Although the effects-heavy action is filled with scenes of targeted violence, there are ultimately some positive messages about rising to the occasion and overcoming your fears.
What's the story?
Hawaiian beach bum Alex Hopper (Taylor Kitsch) is a mess, and he proves as much on his 26th birthday, when he drunkenly breaks into a convenience store to steal a burrito for a potential date with Sam, a beautiful bar patron (Brooklyn Decker) who happens to be the admiral's (Liam Neeson) daughter. To turn his life around, Alex joins the Navy, where his big brother, Stone (Alexander Skarsgard), is an officer. Four years later, Alex is a hot-headed lieutenant trying to summon the courage to ask for Sam's hand in marriage, but his efforts are foiled when, during a war games exercise with the Japanese, a series of unidentifiable objects appears in the Pacific Ocean, creating an impenetrable field around three ships. After the objects are revealed to be aliens -- who destroy two of the ships -- Alex ends up the senior officer of the gathered forces, forcing him to cooperate with the Japanese to bring down the alien enemies.
Is it any good?
Alien invasion films are ridiculously stereotypical, and BATTLESHIP is no exception. But what it lacks in originality, it makes up for in pretty spectacular special effects and sea-faring action sequences. This is no thinking viewer's war drama; this is the sort of big-budget spectacle to enjoy once on the big screen and maybe once more to give your home surround-sound a work out. After the unfortunate flop that was John Carter, Kitsch gets another shot at playing the hero, and he does it well. There's no finesse in the dialogue, but Kitsch is just right playing gorgeous rogues with a heart of gold -- as anyone who watched and loved Friday Night Lights knows.
As a bonus to FNL fans, director Peter Berg once again casts Jesse Plemmons as the nerdy guy who's always quick with the wisecrack. His boatswain character offers consistently good comic relief, as well as a decent acting partner for Rihanna's debut as a hard-as-nails weapons specialist. While Battleship's script is far from the layered finesse of, say, The Avengers, the action is exactly what you'd expect from an explosive summer popcorn flick. Tweens and teens -- especially boys -- will get a kick out of the military tactics and the broad humor (look, kids, elderly veterans curse!), while grown-ups might wonder if they've seen the same movie every summer for the past 15 years.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about Battleship's violence. How does the fact that much of it is larger than life affect its impact? How is it different watching aliens get hurt than human characters?
What are some of the cliches associated with alien-invasion movies? Why are they such a popular genre to release in the summer?
This movie marks Rihanna's transition from music to film. Was her celebrity status as a pop superstar distracting in the role?
Why do rogue characters like Alex tend be more compelling than always-good characters like Stone?
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Kid, 11 years old
May 18, 2012
AGE
Battleship
This was a fine (not-true to the original piece) adaption. There was heavy war and sci-fi violence. Some kissing. Some contexts to f***. The main character is shown drunk in the first scene of the movie. Overall, this was good, but I've seen better.
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Kid, 11 years old
May 19, 2012
AGE
won't make you abandon ship
This was relaesed a month before in britain so i watched it on the 15th of april.this was not the best action film i have ever seen and rhianha CAN NOT ACT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but otherwise thres solid performences,ingenious nods to the game and awsome special effects
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AGE
Suprisingly non violent movie...
This movie is full of action, and explosions....but almost no violence...just destruction. This movie was actually very good and exciting. A great movie to start your kid on action movies. Riri was amazing for her first role. Anyone should see this movie as long as they are in grade school or above.
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AGE
Strong on special effects, terribly weak at acting and storyline.
If you're looking for an action packed movie, here's one right here. The special effects are amazing, the action could disturb a younger child, the aliens are a bit terrifying as well. But this movie isn't all Mr. Perfect. The acting is just plain terrible, I wish Alex Hopper was not such a slacker. If you're looking for good explosions, this is great movie for you, if you're looking for a good story and acting. I wouldn't recommend this movie.
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Kid, 12 years old
May 22, 2012
AGE
GREAT ACTION PACKED MOVIE
This movie battleship is action packed movie, full of aliens and humans fighting for the world. It's a good movie that children and audults will love! EVEN THOUGH IT A LITTLE BIT OF CURSING AND VOILENCE( BECAUSE IT'S A MOVIE ABOUT THE ARMY IN A WAR) IT REALLY GREAT AND NOT INAPROPREATE!
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| Topics: | space and aliens |
| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Peter Berg |
| Cast: | Alexander Skarsgard, Liam Neeson, Taylor Kitsch |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 131 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | May 18, 2012 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | intense sequences of violence, action and destruction, and for language |
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