'Battleship' makes critics seasick

By Robbie Graham Silver Screen Saucers

Naval recruitment campaign, Battleship, is now in cinemas. Judging by its reviews, though, few film critics will be enlisting to sail the high seas any time soon. The alien invasion movie – produced with the full co-operation of the US Navy – currently scores just 46% at RottenTomatoes.com, with comments such as:

“The latest, loudest and stupidest example of the hyper-jingoistic, military-fetishising, intellect-lowering alien invasion movie.” Moviedex

“Compared to this, Independence Day was subtle and sensitive. Hell, even last year’s Battle: Los Angeles was smarter... Battleship is trash.” Daily Mail

“If you found Transformers just a touch too subtle, this is the film for you.” The Guardian

“It's a preposterously lunkheaded salute to American naval machismo. It's a Frankenstein's monster of a digital action spectacle, bolted together from ill-fitting parts of other movies. And it's arguably the noisiest film ever made.” Daily Telegraph  

“Impressive visual effects and Berg's epic set pieces fight against an armada of cinematic clichés and some truly awful dialogue.” Hollywood Reporter  

“So lunkheaded - both in concept and execution - that it’s hard not to suspect director Peter Berg of playing a prank.” Empire

Check back here next week for my Silver Screen Saucers UFOlogical review of Battleship.