Looks pretty freaking badass doesn’t it? Like the best parts of Independence Day minus all the schmaltz.
Sony Pictures timed this teaser release to the same day Skyline opens theatrically for a reason. They’re obviously similar films, and the filmmakers are still embroiled in a lawsuit, but Sony is clearly confident that their movie is the better one. I haven’t seen either one yet, but I’m ready to give the edge to Battle: Los Angeles. Both films feature strong effects work, but whereas Skyline looks to go the Roland Emmerich route and pair it with poorly written dialogue and excess cheese B:LA looks fairly intense and hardcore. Like Blackhawk Down with aliens. (Or robots apparently.) Plus, and I may be alone on this one… I love the song used in the teaser. I have no clue what it is so if anyone out there does feel free to enlighten me in the comments section.
Cast-wise this is a step up from the third-rate TV stars of Skyline as well with Aaron Eckhart in the lead alongside Michelle Rodriguez and Bridget Moynahan. Director Jonathan Liebesman is a bit of a wild card concern though. His resume up to now includes two terrible horror films (Darkness Falls, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning) and one okay thriller (The Killing Room). It’s a big jump from there to here in budget, scope, and responsibility so hopefully he was up to the task.
The official synopsis is here:
For years, there have been documented cases of UFO sightings around the world – Buenos Aires, Seoul, France, Germany, China. But in 2011, what were once just sightings will become a terrifying reality when Earth is attacked by unknown forces. As people everywhere watch the world’s great cities fall, Los Angeles becomes the last stand for mankind in a battle no one expected. It’s up to a Marine staff sergeant (Aaron Eckhart) and his new platoon to draw a line in the sand as they take on an enemy unlike any they’ve ever encountered before.”
Battle: Los Angeles opens March 11th, 2011. Check out the teaser in HD at Apple Trailers.
