Dave

An impressive and engaging film from opening to closing credits. The cast is phenomenal and riveting, Jared Leto leading with what I can only describe as a restrained utterly intense performance. Certainly among his best. The story of an American post WW2 prisoner in Japan transitioning to a Yakuza gang member flows seamlessly, some classic elements dispersed with new. Its never explained how he landed in this harsh prison that he manages to get out of by aiding a fellow prisoner (also gang member) and saving his life. He’s not portrayed as a forgotten a POW so much as someone that just took a wrong turn and ended up there. It’s clear his destiny was to be Yakuza. I’m a fan of this type of film, but The Outsider stands unique among others.

Battle: Los Angeles isn’t a very good film, certainly in terms of dialog and character developement, but that has not stopped me from enjoying it several times over. It has a certain irresistible rewatch charm, similar in more ways than one to Independence Day. The aliens are arguably worse in terms of physical appearance, as is their technology, which are junkyard messes that fly, sort of. These craft seem to be powered by propane afterburners, noisy, sputtering, and ridiculous. As if to cement this hostile race as lazy in design and practicality, uncaring about the environs they seek to pillage…obviously. Just send in the bio mechanical soldiers and get another planet conquered. Still, one would think that an alien race that traversed the stars to get here would and could do a bit better than this silliness. Maybe it’s their first try. Despite this and weak stock “Lookout! Run! Get down! Incoming!” repetitive dialog and prop like cliche characters all are somehow compensated for by idealistic good old fashioned heroic fanfare, this film likely will garner this specific appeal among “blockbuster invasion” film fans. Me being one.

A bit confusing with multiple time lines revolving around a core story, that is itself obscure, this film might still have something to offer for genre fans. Is it satanic possession, an insecure troubled young woman driven to murderous violence by the sudden death of her parents, both? Not quite sure. The use of an entirely different slightly older actress (aside from the blond hair) as the antagonists future self…was risky, adding to the obscurity and confusion. Oddly, her older self more closely resembles her prior victim in some ways, but not quite enough to overtly state, “we become what we hate eventually” A twisty film, with flaws that might be intentional, might not be so flawed after all, or just plain conflicted writing choices left open to too much interpretation. Despite all this, this film works well on deeper psychological levels. If you are willing to just go with the meandering flow and not focus on loose ends too much, you might like this as a sort of “boutique” teen slasher. There are aspects that seem heavily influenced by David Lynch. Understated, atmospheric, intriguing score/soundscapes. Strong acting across the entire cast…even if you don’t quite get who or what they represent until the second or third watch.