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SALT LAKE CITY - "Battleship" hits theaters today and as much as you don't want to admit it, I know you have a morbid curiosity to check it out. It's cool, we totally understand.
While the film may not be the best thing you'll see, probably this week, here are five reasons why you should check it out in the theater.
Sound
Surround sound in your home theater can be awesome, but a film like this is truly appreciated in the theater.
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The sound design seems to attack you from every angle and gets your heart pounding. I'm not totally sure why the alien machines in "Battleship" sound exactly like the alien machines in "Transformers," but it doesn't matter, because they sound awesome.
Visual
Over $200 million was dropped on "Battleship" and most of that went into the visual effects. The movie lacks emotion at times and there are some plot holes that could swallow the battleship itself whole, but this is a summer spectacle movie and it totally delivers on that.
What the film lacks in solid story and continuity it makes up for in visual entertainment. Wait until you see the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong get sliced in half and plunge to the city floor. The effects are nearly flawless and downright entertaining.
Vet Tribute
I won't give away any spoilers, but the film actually gives a nice nod to our veterans.
Truth be told, most of the theater laughed when the old vets showed up on screen, but I personally found it a fine tribute to the men and women who risked and gave their lives to our country.
Granted, some of it was a little cheesy, but it was a moment that helped us remember our veterans and that despite their age, they still love this country and would fight for it if necessary. Maybe I'm too sentimental about that.
Surprise
The film itself is a surprise. I'm not sure anyone is rolling into the theater expecting to see an incredible film. In fact, most everyone in the theater with me was talking about how awful the movie was going to be, me being one of them.
As the film progressed and the credits rolled the best word to describe my feelings was surprised. While the film wasn't necessarily good, it wasn't nearly as bad as I was expecting. If you need to escape the hot summer sun for a couple of hours and you just want to tune out and be entertained, this film will deliver.
The humor and immensity of the film kept my attention for two hours and 11 minutes. Again, this isn't a great film, but it's not the disaster we thought it would be.
For Your Kids
If you have boys between the ages of seven and 14 they're going to love it. This movie is right up their alley.
When the Navy Destroyer John Paul Jones starts taking out incoming artillery rounds your son, nephew, cousin, whoever it is likely to look up at you with those innocent eyes and say, "This is the best movie ever."
You'll be thinking more along the lines of, "You've got to be kidding me." But the joy in that kid's eyes is totally going to be worth it.
So if you catch a flick over the weekend I'd probably suggest going to see "The Avengers" for your second or third time. But if it's your fourth time, maybe skip it for "Battleship."
