Last week I read a post over at Gun Nuts Media. In case you didn't click on the link the post is Caleb's take on a few gun/action/military type movies. It was actually a review of Act of Valor, but he includes his thoughts on a few others. He liked Act Of Valor and Taking Chance, two movies I also enjoyed, so I decided to take his recommendation on Battle:Los Angeles.
I bought it as a present for my hubby for Father's Day, but of course, it was really for me. Ironically, it turned out to be more for him.
I enjoyed the movie. For me it was kind of a laid back easy to watch Sunday movie. Loved the action and the story, but I thought the dialog was cheesy. I never felt too involved in the character's lives or on the edge of my seat from the action, but still I enjoyed the effects and the shooting.
My husband on the other hand thought the movie was excellent. He thought they did a great job of character development and portraying the relationship between officers and enlisted Marines. My husband was on both sides of the coin. He was enlisted and served in hostile situations under some fine officers and some not so fine. He also was an officer and had the responsibility to lead Marines in and out of combat. One of the things my husband always talks about is how loud and often chaotic war is. The loudness of war has stuck with him. He thought this movies portrayed that well. Having never served, I would go with him on this. I am going to re-watch it taking his perspective into account, but even with what I considered to be weak areas of the movie, I would recommended it, so if you haven't seen it, maybe you should. Don't forget the popcorn.
I haven't seen Act of Valor yet. Taking Chance is a very touching movie, and one I was flabbergasted to learn that HBO had made. That is so unlike anything else they do these days.
ReplyDeleteWell, it didn't "glorify" war, so this is probably why. We watch it every year. Very good story.
DeleteAs an aside I meant hostile not hostel:)
I hope you're feeling less 'blah' today. Stud is deep sea fishing and I was looking forward to a day all to myself.....And I woke with this constant damn headache. (one month and counting) Timing is everything and I'm all timed out.
ReplyDeleteI did feel better yesterday and even better today. Hopefully, your on the mend as well!
DeleteBattle: Los Angeles is a Marine Corps recruitment video. I loved it, and it was a welcome change from the military type movies from the last almost decade that did their best to smear the Services.
ReplyDeleteI am way behind on movies from the last decade, but I have seen a few big box office ones and the message is hardly subtle.
DeleteI am afraid that I did not give Battle: LA a good review. It's been a while since I saw it, but I remember thinking that whoever was supposed to be advising them on military tactics was not paying attention. It was a good action movie, but that is as far as I will take it.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I loved "Act of Valor" and "Tears of the Sun" for good small unit tactics. And we can never forget "We Were Soldiers" for an excellent military movie.
I loved We Were Soldiers. Great movie. I will have to check out Tears of the Sun.
Delete"We Were Soldiers" is a movie everyone should see, the scene with the taxi drivers and the telegrams gets me all choked up every time. The book is even better...the movie actually only covers the first half of the book, and the book is still required reading at the Academy: first half is how to conduct operations in a hot LZ. Second half is how NOT to conduct operations in a hot LZ.
ReplyDeleteI remembered "Battle:LA" as a decent action movie, some cool Sci-Fi effects and whatnot. Nothing I was going to put on my go-out-and-buy-immediately list, but not something I regretted spending a buck to rent.
Haven't seen "Act of Valor" or "Taking Chance" yet, but I'm going to buy the first one. May rent the second.
If you haven't seen it, try to find a copy of "When Trumpets Fade" for a rather close-up and personal look at one of the more horrific battles of WW2, one that Army brass would much rather everyone forgot about. Word of caution: its not for the weak of stomach or for young kids prone to nightmares. They don't pull any punches in this one, yet the gore didn't seem like it was thrown in there just for shock-value. War is gory. This movie is gory. And it all just...well....you'll have to see it.
"When Trumpets Fade" is now on my Amazon list. Thanks for that suggestion.
DeleteNo problems. The Hurtgen Forest battle was one of the bloodiest, costliest mistakes that the Army made during WW2, with an estimated ALLIED body for every square yard of forest by the time it was over. And irony of ironies...decimated units were pulled out of the Hurtgen in early December of '44, restocked with green recruits, and then placed back on the line in a "quiet" sector of the Ardennes to train up their replacements. And then Dec 16th rolled around...
DeleteIt's now on my list as well.
DeleteI saw Battle:LA and didnt quite think it was all too great. Reminded me of the third Transformers movie a little too much with the invading aliens and all.
ReplyDeleteI have not seen any Transformer movies, but the alien aspect didn't bother me in Battle:Los Angeles. I like reality based movies more, but I can enjoy a little creative license too:)
DeleteWOW! I just checked out the trailer for "Taking Chance." I am going to order that one ASAP. Just the trailer brought tears to my eyes. Looks like a powerful and patriotic movie. Never would have pictured Kevin Bacon in that role.
ReplyDeleteI am just now getting into movies,mso the only thing I have ever seen Kevin Bacon in is Footloose, but he does an excellent job in "Taking Chance".
DeleteI've watched Battle:LA and thought it was an above average film, in fact I liked it. As your husband said it was intresting to see the character's evolve and develop, bonding together. While I've not been in war I have been in large riot's and accident scene's with all of the response equipment in route or on scene. The noise become's a solid presence that pulsate's through your body. People do become emotional and have to regroup and regain compousure.
ReplyDeleteI am sure that many of those situations are very similar. Craziness.
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