Battleship (2012) is a big-budget sci-fi action film inspired by the classic Hasbro board game. Directed by Peter Berg, the movie blends naval warfare, alien invasion, and military drama, aiming for pure blockbuster spectacle rather than subtle storytelling.
Detailed Summary
Opening: Alex Hopper, the Reluctant Hero
The movie introduces Alex Hopper, a reckless but talented naval officer with commitment issues and a habit of sabotaging his own future. His brother Stone Hopper tries to keep him in line, both professionally and personally. Alex’s romantic interest, Samantha Shane, is the daughter of his commanding officer, adding tension to his already unstable career.
This opening establishes Alex’s core arc: a man who must grow from impulsive troublemaker into responsible leader.
The Alien Arrival and the War Grid
During an international naval exercise (RIMPAC), mysterious objects fall from space into the Pacific Ocean. These turn out to be extraterrestrial scouts who deploy a massive force field, isolating a section of the ocean and trapping several naval ships inside.
The aliens are not here to conquer Earth immediately. Their goal is to establish a communications relay with their home planet after their primary satellite was destroyed. This transforms the movie from a simple invasion story into a strategic battle for control.
First Contact and Heavy Losses
The aliens prove technologically superior, using advanced weapons capable of destroying modern warships with ease. Several allied ships are taken out quickly, including vessels from other nations participating in the exercise.
Alex is unexpectedly promoted to command after the deaths of senior officers, forcing him into leadership before he is emotionally or mentally ready.
The USS Missouri Enters the Game
With most modern ships destroyed or disabled, the surviving crew turns to the USS Missouri, a real-life decommissioned WWII battleship turned museum. Veterans are brought in to help operate the ship, creating one of the film’s most memorable and crowd-pleasing moments.
This sequence symbolizes old-school warfare versus futuristic technology, a central theme of the movie.
Final Assault on the Alien Command Ship
Using clever tactics rather than brute force, Alex and his crew exploit weaknesses in the alien technology. They manage to breach the alien command ship and stop the transmission to the alien home world, preventing a full-scale invasion of Earth.
Movie Ending
In the final act, Alex Hopper fully embraces his role as a leader. He coordinates a risky plan to destroy the alien communications array before it can send Earth’s location to the alien home planet.
The USS Missouri engages in a dramatic, close-range battle against the alien command ship. Despite being heavily outmatched technologically, the crew uses manual targeting, teamwork, and strategic sacrifice to land decisive blows.
Alex personally leads the final assault, resulting in the destruction of the alien ship and the collapse of the force field. The surviving aliens are defeated, and Earth is saved from further invasion.
In the aftermath:
- Alex is recognized as a hero and earns the respect of his superiors
- His relationship with Samantha is repaired
- He finally steps out of his brother’s shadow and proves his worth as an officer
The movie ends on a note of earned redemption and military camaraderie, closing Alex’s character arc completely.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No. Battleship does not include any mid-credits or post-credits scenes. The story ends definitively with no sequel tease.
Type of Movie
Battleship is a science fiction action film with strong elements of military warfare and disaster cinema, prioritizing large-scale battles, visual effects, and heroic set pieces over complex narrative depth.
Cast
- Taylor Kitsch as Alex Hopper
- Liam Neeson as Admiral Shane
- Rihanna as Petty Officer Cora Raikes
- Brooklyn Decker as Samantha Shane
- Alexander Skarsgård as Stone Hopper
- Tadanobu Asano as Captain Yugi Nagata
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Steve Jablonsky, known for his work on the Transformers series. The music emphasizes military intensity, rising heroism, and large-scale destruction, supporting the film’s blockbuster tone.
Filming Locations and Their Importance
- Hawaii – Primary filming location; provided realistic ocean environments and naval bases.
- USS Missouri (Pearl Harbor) – Filmed on the actual battleship, adding authenticity and historical weight.
- Los Angeles sound stages – Used for interior ship scenes and alien environments.
The real-world naval locations ground the sci-fi elements in realism, helping the audience accept the alien invasion premise.
Awards and Nominations
The film did not win major awards but received:
- Nominations for Best Visual Effects at several technical and genre-focused award events
Despite mixed critical reception, its effects work was often praised.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- The USS Missouri had not been operational for decades; interiors were carefully adapted for filming.
- Real U.S. Navy personnel advised on military procedures.
- Rihanna underwent weapons and combat training for her role.
- Director Peter Berg aimed for a “Top Gun on the ocean with aliens” tone.
Inspirations and References
- The Hasbro Battleship board game, loosely and symbolically
- Classic naval warfare films
- Alien invasion tropes from films like Independence Day
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
No fully alternate ending was released, but:
- Several character-development scenes were cut to maintain pacing
- Some alien backstory material was removed, making the invaders more mysterious
Book Adaptations and Differences
The movie is not based on a book. It uses the Battleship brand as a conceptual springboard rather than a narrative source.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The first alien ship rising from the ocean
- The force field trapping the fleet
- The USS Missouri drifting maneuver using anchors
- WWII veterans returning to battle one last time
Iconic Quotes
- “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.” (a playful nod to classic cinema)
- “Let’s drop the hammer.”
- “This is our home.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The peg-based targeting system mirrors the board game mechanics
- The Missouri’s hull number is prominently framed during battle shots
- Alien weapon patterns resemble grid-based attacks
Trivia
- Rihanna’s character was written specifically to avoid the “helpless civilian” trope
- The film had one of the highest budgets ever for a board-game adaptation
- Real naval veterans appear in the Missouri scenes
Why Watch?
Watch Battleship if you enjoy:
- Large-scale action
- Military sci-fi
- Alien invasion stories
- Movies that are loud, unapologetic, and visually driven
It’s not subtle, but it’s committed to entertainment, and sometimes that’s exactly what you want.
Director’s Other Works
- Friday Night Lights (2004)
- The Kingdom (2007)
- Lone Survivor (2013)
- Deepwater Horizon (2016)
- Patriots Day (2016)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Transformers (2007)
- Independence Day (1996)
- Pacific Rim (2013)
- Top Gun (1986)
- Battleship: USS Indianapolis – Men of Courage (2016)
