🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Peter Berg
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller, War
- Release year: 2012
- Runtime (length): 2h 11min
- IMDb rating: 5.8/10 (262K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 33%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Navy bros accidentally send a party invite to aliens who then complain about the noise and try to shut down the rave (Earth).
🍿 Battleship: Detailed Plot Synopsis
A Signal Sent
In 2005, NASA discovers Planet-G, a potentially habitable planet, and sends a powerful signal from Hawaii. Meanwhile, Alex Hopper, a directionless young man, gets into trouble trying to impress Samantha Shane, the daughter of Admiral Terrance Shane. His older brother, Stone, forces him to join the Navy.

RIMPAC Exercise Interrupted
By 2012, Alex is a lieutenant participating in RIMPAC naval exercises. Five alien spacecraft arrive in response to NASA’s signal. One crashes in Hong Kong, and the other four land near Hawaii. The USS John Paul Jones, along with the USS Sampson and a Japanese destroyer, investigate but are trapped by an alien force field.

Taking Command
The aliens attack, destroying the Sampson and the Japanese destroyer. Alex takes command of the damaged USS John Paul Jones after the commanding officers are killed. He learns his brother died on the Sampson. The remaining crew must find a way to fight the aliens without radar, as the force field interferes with electronic systems.

Using Tsunami Buoys
Captain Nagata, a survivor from the Japanese destroyer, suggests using tsunami warning buoys to track the aliens. Meanwhile, Samantha accompanies a wounded veteran and encounters a scientist who explains the aliens’ plan to contact their home planet. Samantha relays this information to Alex.

Battling the Aliens
Using the tsunami buoy technology, the USS John Paul Jones engages the alien ships in a battle reminiscent of the ‘Battleship’ board game. After sinking two alien ships, Alex lures the final ship closer to shore and defeats it by exploiting the aliens’ sensitivity to sunlight. Both ships are destroyed in the battle.
⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Lieutenant Alex Hopper (Taylor Kitsch): A reckless and underachieving naval officer who must rise to the occasion to defend Earth from an alien invasion.
- Commander Stone Hopper (Alexander Skarsgård): Alex’s older, more disciplined brother and a naval commander who tries to guide him.
- Admiral Shane (Liam Neeson): The stern and disapproving admiral who is also the father of Alex’s girlfriend.
- Petty Officer Cora ‘Weps’ Raikes (Rihanna): A tough and capable Navy officer who serves alongside Alex during the alien invasion.
- Captain Yugi Nagata (Tadanobu Asano): A Japanese captain who initially clashes with Alex but becomes a valuable ally in the fight against the aliens.
- Sam (Brooklyn Decker): Alex Hopper’s girlfriend and a physiotherapist, who is also Admiral Shane’s daughter.
- Lieutenant Colonel Mick Canales (Gregory D. Gadson): A retired Army veteran and double amputee who displays resilience and courage.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Alex Hopper: “I can’t believe that worked!” – Exclaimed after successfully using an unconventional tactic to destroy an alien ship.
- Alex Hopper: “Yeah, Art of War, ‘fight the enemy where they aren’t.’ After all these years, that finally just clicked.” – Hopper references Sun Tzu’s Art of War after his risky strategy pays off.
- Captain Yugi Nagata: “But that’s not what it means.” – Nagata corrects Hopper’s misinterpretation of the Art of War.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $209,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $65,422,625
- Worldwide Gross: $303,025,485
💥 Battleship Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, I admit it, I have a soft spot for this movie. Is it cheesy? Absolutely. Does it make sense? Not always. But there’s something about the over-the-top action and the ‘rah-rah’ patriotism that just hits a certain spot. I loved the scene where they brought the USS Missouri back to life with the veterans. Pure movie magic! It may not win any awards, but it’s a fun ride.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of large-scale action and sci-fi movies”
- “Viewers who enjoy military-themed films”
- “Those looking for a popcorn movie with plenty of special effects”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Intense sci-fi action violence”
- “Destruction of ships and urban environments”
- “Some language”
Professional Reviews
- Rotten Tomatoes: “Battleship is a loud, chaotic, and ultimately generic alien invasion flick that may appeal to undiscriminating viewers seeking mindless action, but offers little beyond that.
- IGN: “Battleship is a visually impressive and occasionally exciting action spectacle, even if it’s held back by a predictable story and underdeveloped characters. Worth a watch for the effects, but don’t expect much depth.
- Empire: “A silly but sporadically spectacular blockbuster, Battleship boasts impressive effects, but the plot is thinner than the hull of a tin can. Enjoyable if you switch your brain off.
Audience Reactions
The action sequences were visually stunning and kept me on the edge of my seat.: Many viewers enjoyed the visual spectacle and non-stop action, finding it a fun and engaging popcorn movie.
I thought the use of the tsunami buoys to track the aliens was clever and a cool reference to the game.: Some viewers appreciated the nods to the board game, particularly the use of grid-based tactics.
Overall Consensus: Battleship is a visually impressive but ultimately generic alien invasion movie that delivers on action but lacks depth in story and character development. It’s a fun popcorn flick if you can switch off your brain.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Battleship was inspired by Hasbro’s classic board game of the same name, but the storyline significantly deviates from the original game’s premise.”
- “To lend authenticity to the naval scenes, the production team worked closely with the U.S. Navy, and filming took place on active naval vessels.”
- “Some of the veterans of the U.S.S. Missouri who appear in the film are real-life veterans who served on the ship during World War II, adding a layer of historical accuracy.”
- “Director Peter Berg aimed to create a spectacle that honored the spirit of classic naval warfare while incorporating the science fiction elements.”
🖥️ How to Watch Battleship?
Battleship is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability in your region. Physical copies (Blu-ray, DVD) are also widely available for purchase from retailers such as Amazon and Best Buy.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Battleship, you might like these similar films:
- Independence Day (1996): Features a large-scale alien invasion with humanity fighting back using military might.
- Transformers (2007): Shares the theme of advanced alien technology and large-scale action sequences, also based on Hasbro properties.
- Battle: Los Angeles (2011): Focuses on a military unit battling an alien invasion in a realistic and intense urban warfare scenario.
- War of the Worlds (2005): Depicts a global alien invasion with ordinary people caught in the chaos, highlighting themes of survival and resilience.
🛒 Battleship Related Products
- Battleship [Blu-ray]: Own the explosive action and stunning visual effects of Battleship in high definition. Relive the epic battle for Earth from the comfort of your couch.
- Hasbro Battleship Classic Board Game: The classic naval combat game that inspired the movie! Strategically position your fleet and sink your opponent’s ships before they sink yours.
- Battleship Movie Poster: High-quality print of the official Battleship movie poster. Showcases the epic scale and intensity of the film.
- Battleship Movie T-Shirt: Show your love for the film with an official Battleship movie t-shirt. Available in various sizes and designs.
🎧 Soundtrack
Battleship features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Back in Black” – performed by AC/DC
- “Interstate Love Song” – performed by Stone Temple Pilots
- “Communication” – performed by Steve Jablonsky
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
No, Battleship is not based on a true story. It is loosely based on the Hasbro board game of the same name, which involves guessing the location of your opponent’s ships on a grid.
In the film, NASA sent a signal to a potentially habitable planet (Planet-G). The aliens came to Earth in response to this signal, though their intentions were not initially hostile, they ultimately sought to establish a power source and signal their home planet.
Battleship was primarily filmed in Oahu, Hawaii. Additional scenes were shot in other locations, but Hawaii served as the main filming location.
The USS Missouri represents the resilience and legacy of the US Navy. The outdated technology, operated by veterans, demonstrates that experience and ingenuity can triumph even against advanced threats. It embodies the theme of honoring the past to secure the future.
🔥 Bonus Content
Navy Admiral Rates Battleship Scenes in Movies
Have you ever wondered how realistic the warship battles in ‘Battleship’ are? Curious minds, you’re in for a treat! Here’s a video where an experienced Navy Admiral breaks down the movie’s accuracy and shares his expert opinion on the portrayal of naval combat.
Real-Life Inspiration for USS Missouri Scene
Ever wondered what inspired the epic USS Missouri scene in ‘Battleship’? This quick and captivating video reveals the historical event that served as its foundation. Dive into the real-life origins and gain a deeper appreciation for the movie’s storytelling.
Battleship: A Critical Analysis
If you’re a fan of ‘Battleship’ or movie analysis, this video is a must-watch! It delves into the reasons behind the movie’s shortcomings, providing a balanced and insightful critique that will leave you with a fresh perspective on the film.
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