Battleship (2012) is a sci-fi action film directed by Peter Berg, inspired by the classic naval combat board game. Set mostly in the Pacific Ocean, the story follows Alex Hopper (played by Taylor Kitsch), a rebellious and undisciplined naval officer, who is forced to step up when Earth comes under attack from a technologically advanced alien species. What begins as a routine international naval exercise quickly turns into a desperate battle for survival.
The alien invaders, referred to as “Regents,” land in the ocean near Hawaii and generate a powerful force field that traps a handful of naval ships, cutting them off from the rest of the fleet. Hopper, along with his crew and a few allied ships, must figure out how to outmaneuver the alien vessels using clever tactics and limited resources. The stakes escalate as they realize the aliens are attempting to send a signal to summon reinforcements from their home planet.
Alongside Hopper, key characters include his brother Stone (Alexander SkarsgΓ₯rd), his girlfriend Sam (Brooklyn Decker), and her father Admiral Shane (Liam Neeson). Rihanna also stars as a weapons specialist named Raikes, delivering a strong supporting performance. The film combines military camaraderie with high-stakes alien combat and even features the iconic battleship USS Missouri, manned by a group of veterans in a pivotal moment of the film.
Although Battleship received mixed critical receptionβpraised for its action but criticized for its plotβit has gained a cult following over time for its ambitious mix of naval warfare and sci-fi spectacle. The film’s visual effects, explosive set-pieces, and patriotic themes make it a memorable, if unconventional, addition to the alien invasion genre.