Battleship
Mike Carr
President and Chief Operating Officer of the
USS Missouri Memorial Association
Where and with whom did you see the movie?
Consolidated Ward 16 Theatre with my wife Connie.
Overall, what did you think?
Battleship is the perfect summer movie and features action-packed fun from beginning to end. The special effects were amazing, and the sound really enhances the overall experience – it’s one of the best uses of sound that I can recall. What really surprised me was the comedic timing.
At its heart Battleship is a sci-fi action film, but director Peter Berg was able to seamlessly – and unexpectedly – incorporate a lot of humor into the movie. Berg was also pretty clever in the way he paid homage to the board game.
Without giving away the ending, what was one of your favorite scenes?
Although I may be a bit biased, my favorite scene is when they take the USS Missouri (BB-63) back out to sea. When they got her engines fired up and she started hauling it back to open waters, I was so excited I wanted to stand up and cheer.
I also appreciated the nod they gave to the military veterans in that scene, known as the “old salts.” It’s important to never forget the sacrifices of our veterans as well as the brave men and women who are serving our country today.
On a scale of one to four stars, what would you rate this film?
Well, the USS Missouri (BB-63) gained a total of 11 battle stars during her five decades of service. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to give Battleship that many, but I’d give it ★★★ 1/2 stars.
What did you think of the cinematography?
They got some really good scenes at sea, but what really stood out was Oahu. The island looked spectacular, and the film crew got tons of great shots of so many locations, including the Koolau Range, Waikiki, Pearl Harbor and even Kaneohe Bay.
Was the message/theme clear?
Battleship’s tagline “The Battle for Earth Begins at Sea” is all you need to know about the movie’s theme.
Did it remind you of any other work in film?
I’ve heard a lot of people make the comparison to Transformers based on the previews, but there aren’t many resemblances between the two. Battleship is a different experience altogether.
To whom would you recommend this movie?
I think veterans and active duty military, particularly Navy, will really enjoy it.
Did any of the actors stand out?
Many of the extras were former USS Missouri (BB-63) crew members and Battleship Missouri Memorial staff, and it was great to see them get their moment of fame.
Did you identify with any of the characters?
Liam Neeson as the steadfast and wise Adm. Shane. I hope my staff at the Battleship Missouri look at me in a similar light. I also have a daughter who reminds me a lot of Brooklyn Decker (Sam) in the movie, so I can definitely relate to his character as a father.
Would you buy this movie when it comes out on DVD?
Absolutely, I can’t wait to see all the special features they packed in. I’m particularly interested in seeing the virtual tour segment that Peter Berg did while on the Missouri.
We put Peter Berg on a tour with one of our senior tour guides; together they explored the ship and spoke to past crew members who served time on the Mighty Mo.
On a different note, what’s new with you?
We’ve started a new Battleship the Movie Tour. The 50-minute tour shows guests exactly how Universal was able to turn the nearly 900-foot Missouri into a fully functioning film set as guests explore filming areas from the movie.
Tours are limited to 10 participants and cost $47 for adults or $23 for children 8-12, which includes general admission to the “Mighty Mo” and shuttle service from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.
