Battle: Los Angeles (2011)

Battle: Los Angeles (also known as Battle: LA and internationally as World Invasion: Battle Los Angeles) is a 2011 American military science fiction war film directed by Jonathan Liebesman. The storyline was conceived from a screenplay written by Chris Bertolini, based in part on a wartime incident dubbed the "Battle of Los Angeles". The film is set in modern-day Los Angeles and follows a retiring Marine Staff Sergeant played by Aaron Eckhart who must go back into the line of duty to lead a platoon of U.S. Marines, a Hospital corpsman, isolated U.S. Army soldiers and a U.S. Air Force sergeant during a global alien invasion. The ensemble cast also features Michelle Rodriguez, Ramon Rodriguez, Bridget Moynahan, Ne-Yo, and Michael Peña.

The film was a co-production between the motion picture studios of Columbia Pictures, Relativity Media, and Original Film. Theatrically, it was commercially distributed by Columbia, while the Sony Pictures Home Entertainment division released the film in the video rental market. Battle: Los Angeles explores extraterrestrial life, violence and military warfare. Following its wide release in theaters, the film won the BMI TV Music Award for composer Brian Tyler. The film score was orchestrated by Tyler in conjunction with the Hollywood Studio Symphony. The soundtrack was released by the Varèse Sarabande music label on March 8, 2011.

Principal photography began during the second week of September in 2009. Battle: Los Angeles premiered in theaters nationwide in the United States on March 11, 2011 grossing $83,552,429 in domestic ticket receipts. The film was screened at 3,417 theaters during its widest release in cinemas. It earned an additional $128,266,925 in business through international release to top out at a combined $211,819,354 in gross revenue. Taking into account its $70 million budget costs, the film was considered a major box office success. However, preceding its initial screening to the public, the film was generally met with negative critical reviews. With its initial foray into the home media marketplace; the widescreen DVD and Blu-ray editions of the film featuring the theatrical trailer, scene selections, and special features, among other highlights were released in the United States on June 14, 2011.

Synopsis

On August 12, 2011, large masses thought to be meteors land in the oceans near several major coastal cities. The objects are discovered to be spacecraft containing hostile extraterrestrial life. Marines from Camp Pendleton arrive in Los Angeles, including SSgt. Michael Nantz (Eckhart), an Iraq War veteran. Nantz was to begin retirement, but because of the attack, he is made the acting platoon sergeant for 1st Platoon, Echo Company, of the 2nd Battalion 5th Marines.

Actors