Rating: 
Summary: Carnage... One of the worst films ever made?
Review: Surely films can't get much worse than this? On release, Battlefield Earth was lambasted by critics and reaped pittance at the box office... and sooo rightly so. This is "film-making" (and it pains me to call it that) of the most ugly, ham-fisted and reckless order. No, I'm serious. It's *worse* than that. To begin with, director Roger Christian deserves never to work again. Scenes are filmed and cut together so badly it's almost impossible to see what's going on half the time - and not that you'll care much anyway. *And* he can't get his crew to even hold a camera straight. Adapted from a ludicrous/ridculous/uninspired book of drivel of the same name by Scientology loon Ron Hubbard, B:E is a mess, and littered with so many outright stupid plot "twists" that it's frankly unbearable to watch. And poor John Travolta, dressed up in makeup and a costume that defies belief in design, overacts terribly, apparantly enjoying himself. Well, he may be, but you won't, for sure.Didn't nobody in the studio check the rushes? Didn't they ever get a little worried that Mr. Christian, partnered with John Travolta's ego, were producing something that has set a new low for cinema? Only worth seeing, then, if you're curious to just how bad a film can be. And you thought *Batman and Robin* was bad as bad can be, didn't you? Just wait till you cop a loada this. It's a good job you can't use obsenities in these reviews, you know. Sheesh.
Rating: 
Summary: An Enthralling Movie!
Review: I saw this movie several days after it came out, and had been anticipating it for nearly a year. I had had no idea that it was based on such an amazing novel by world-renowned sci-fi extraordinaire L. Ron Hubbard, but I read the book--expansive at 1050 pages--several months after that, and, although it was obvious that the movie had been cut down so that it was possible to become a movie, I found the alterations to be agreeable, and the movie was still great. John Travolta does an excellent job of portaying the evil Psychlo security chief Terl, Forrest Whitaker was a great Ker, and Barry Pepper was not too bad as Jonnie Goodboy Tyler. If you've read the book, you will definitely notice the changes, but they should be understandable. If you haven't read the book or seen the movie, don't read on, because I might spoil it for you. In the book, Terl, as the villain, perishes, but it is after the movie's storline comes to an end. He lives in the movie, as he is the star, of course, but, if the other half of the book were included in the movie, he probably would die. The book is more like two books, and the movie only portrays the reclamation of the planet Earth and the destruction of the Psychlos. Perhaps a sequel will be produced, which will follow up the rest of the story, but it is doubtful. The rest of the book is mainly about contact with other major races in the 16 (well, we find out that there are actually 17) universes, and the development of an inter-universal peace agreement, which eliminates war everywhere. It is not as action-packed as the beginning of the movie, which is another reason it was not included. I think that everyone should see this movie and read the book, though, unless you're a critic.
Rating:
Summary: Great sci-fi
Review: Better than 1D4, this is what summer movies are all about. It has tons of jokes which are really funny, and an amazing battle sequence at the end. What a MOVIE!
Rating: 
Summary: Do "not" be a sheep and believe the critics, it "is" good...
Review: Good, ignore everyone else. Eventhough the graphics are not as good as star wars the film is still good. I do not know what it is with people and this film they seem to hate it. Is it because of john travolta's laugh that is suposed to be that way but people just dont get that or is it the fact humans become dum after"2000" years of no education ? This film is good!
Rating: 
Summary: A hell of a thing
Review: What more can be said about 'Battlefield : Earth'? Apart from some effective effects, it's monumentally bad in every way - the music is overpoweringly loud, the script appears to have been improvised by the cast, and dramatically, it's more or less a shoddy saturday morning cartoon transferred directly to the big screen. On the other hand, I laughed out loud at several points (particular a 'soulful' moment in which our hero is inspired to revolt against cruel alien masters by a dusty copy of the US Declaration of Independence), and left the cinema with a grin on my face. It's bad enough to be amusing, and worth seeing if only so that you can tell your grandchildren that, yes, you were there. How they're going to sell this on DVD I don't know.
Rating:
Summary: No thanks
Review: Battlefield Earth has been called "show girls of sci-fi". Well, its called this for a good reason. The little plotting there is makes little sense and gives a new meaning to the word incoherent. Travolta seems like the only one how to act, even that isn't enough to save it from movie obscurity. Some critics said a 12 year old could have done a better job. They were better off taking that route.
Rating:
Summary: It IS as pathetic as everyone said it was.
Review: Truely one of the worst films I have ever seen. What in the world was Travolta thinking? That would be the only reason to even be associated with such a disaster. The dialog is horrible, it could have been better if a 5-year old had written it. The plot is ludicrous. OK, fine and dandy, the bad aliens have enslaved humanity. But, my favourite part was when cavemen stumble across an underground secret cache of F-16 fighters. Within one week, they are all Top Gun pilots. These were cavemen! Travolta's character even said that Earth resistance amounted to something like 27 seconds. But throw a few cavemen in 1000-year old F-16 fighers and voila! Not only do they win, but they blow up the alien planet! Remember, the action takes place in the year 3000. I guess we can give a high-five to the F-16 maintenance crews. This film is a complete waste of time.
Rating: 
Summary: Fun movie, great book!
Review: I've read the book twice. I enjoyed seeing the beginning of the story interpreted on the big screen. The book is an exploration of arrogance, corruption, and the strength of the human spirit. These themes underly the movie, with mean, ugly aliens (except Forest Whitaker) so unaccustomed to opposition that they have become very lazy. The aliens are campy and funny, but the humans' struggle to reclaim their planet from a "superior" race is dark and all too real. Pepper's character is serious and thoughtful - also appropriate to the role. I just watched an interesting interview with Roger Christian from DragonCon at http://www.tnctv.com. Christian discusses his vision for this movie and what he wanted to accomplish. I was unaware that he intended this to be a comic strip type movie, but that's exactly what it is, with lots of action and great sets, at which he is especially clever - see http://www.mothership.com/eon/articles.asp?id=3354 for an excellent interview. Battlefield Earth is indeed "pulp" science fiction. The movie Battlefield Earth is very different than the book, but they are both excellent. Treat yourself to each.
Rating:
Summary: Battlefield Earth Goes Way Beyond the Ordinary
Review: Battlefield Earth is a very unique movie. I saw it four times and it actually got better with each viewing. That's something only a handful of movies are able to do. If you understand what is taking place and if you can face the irony and the truth of the subject matter you can't help but like it. It's not the "crowd pleaser" many movies have as their aim. Instead it's full of fresh photography, brilliant direction and cutting edge action scenes. The script is unparalleled in its audacity and that is what really sets this film apart. It will take time for many to realize the importance of this movie and the change of pace and impact it will have on the future, but then again all great strides in our culture have taken time. My suggestion: See it twice, keep an open mind and you tell me if I speak sooth!
Rating:
Summary: Two Thumbs Up!
Review: Battlefield Earth was an incredible science fiction movie! John Travolta and Barry Pepper's acting was superb! If you liked the novel, then you will love the movie!
|
