Oh, Hasbro… Maker of childhood toys, games, and evidently inspiration for big budget action films!

I must admit, I was skeptical of Battleship. The first time I saw its commercial I thought “Here we go, its Transformers all over again. Just another big special effects extravaganza with no real point or worth besides massive set-pieces and busy action sequences”. Well I was wrong, at least partially wrong. First let me say that this movie was quite entertaining. Despite the cookie-cutter alien invasion story and the rather forced sequence meant to remind us of the Battleship board-game, this movie delivered on most fronts.

The acting was decent and the main cast was likeable enough that by the final act you were really rooting for them. The story surrounds Navy Lieutenant Alex Hopper (played by Taylor Kitsch) and his brother Navy Commander Stone Hopper (played by Alexander SkarsgÃ¥rd). During the middle of multinational Naval war-games, five alien ships descend to the earth and set up shop to take over the planet. Unfortunately for the aliens, their comms ship is damaged during entry. They quickly set their sights on a group of powerful deep space communication dishes stationed in Hawaii to radio for reinforcements. Why can only one ship communicate with their fleet or homeworld? Because…well just because!

Once the alien ship lands off the coast of pearl harbor it quickly sets up an energy shield containing itself and three naval ships within its borders. For some reason the alien equipment can’t see the human ships and the human equipment cant see the alien ships, thus the opportunity for the spray and pray game of “Battleship”! Fortunately this sequence is short lived and relatively painless. At least no one says “You sunk my battleship!”.

Its no secret that this movie is all about the action and here is where Battleship truly delivers. The action sequences are large and impressive. Seeing the alien ships leap, dive and shoot is truly a spectacle to behold. Even the comparatively plain Naval ships seem powerful and massive. Definitely many fights to remember in this one folks.

This movie isn’t going to win any Oscars but, it was real fun and definitely deserves to be seen on the big screen. The only thing that occasionally takes you out of the experience is the heavy handed pro-Navy themes that at times almost seem like a commercial to enlist.

Battleship receives a rating of Matinee. It’s a bunch of fun and if you have occasion to see it don’t hesitate, but don’t go out of your way to catch it on opening night.

Fun Factor: 80%