By Jeri Jacquin
The Movie Maven

Opening in theatres this Friday from director/producer Peter Berg, Universal Pictures, Film 44 and Hasbro comes the invasion with “Battleship.”

This film tells the story of Lt. Alex Hopper (Taylor Kitsch), a naval weapons officer assigned to the U.S.S. John Paul Jones. A rogue who is always in the middle of trouble brother Commander Stone Hopper (Alexander Skarsgard) tries to keep him in check.

Another person who accepts Hopper is his love Sam (Brooklyn Decker), which would be fantastic if her father wasn’t Admiral Shane (Liam Neeson). Heading out for RIMPAC off the coast of Hawaii for naval games the unthinkable happens.

After sending a signal to a planet discovered by skywatchers, what comes back in reply is an unexpected invasion. Surrounded by a force field the only way they can fight is come together with commanded Lt. Hopper. Joining the new captain is Petty Officer Raikes (Rihanna), Boatswain Mate Ord (Jesse Plemons), Chief Engineer Hiroki (Joji Yoshida), Chief Petty Officer Lynch (John Tui) and from the Japanese fleet Captain Yugi Nagata (Tadanobu Asano).

It takes guts, determination and the belief that nothing takes our planet.

FINAL WORD: Kitsch once again puts in a blockbuster type performance as the misunderstood hero. In the two hours the film offers up, Kitsch has a chance to bring his character full circle. The film could have easily been all about him but it wasn’t and he shares the story and screen with the cast.

Rihanna is a tough cookie and doesn’t back down from the fight. She gives up the glitz and glitter for a toned down look being just one of the guys. Plemons is adorable, funny and yet still manages to show courage even in the face of fear.

Asano as Captain Nagata plays of Kitsch very well and from the beginning you see where his character will go. Skarsgard puts in his moments as well – watching out for a baby brother isn’t an easy job.
Neeson makes a good Admiral, especially watching his interaction with Kitsch and Decker who plays his daughter. Decker also gets a chance to be a little bit of a heroine along with a pretty cool retired Army soldier.

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