Peter Berg (Hancock) produces and directs Battleship, an epic-scaled action-adventure that unfolds across the seas, in the skies and over land as our planet fights for survival against a superior force. Inspired by Hasbro’s classic naval combat game, Battleship stars Taylor Kitsch as Lt. Alex Hopper, a Naval officer assigned to the USS John Paul Jones; Brooklyn Decker as Sam Shane, a physical therapist and Hopper’s fiancée; Alexander Skarsgård as Hopper’s older brother, Stone, Commanding Officer of the USS Sampson; Rihanna as Petty Officer Raikes, Hopper’s crewmate and a weapons specialist on the USS John Paul Jones; and international superstar Liam Neeson as Hopper and Stone’s superior (and Sam’s father), Admiral Shane.

Berg directs this epic action-adventure also produced by Scott Stuber (Couples Retreat), Sarah Aubrey (The Kingdom), Brian Goldner and Bennett Schneir of Hasbro (the Transformers franchise), along with Duncan Henderson (Master and Commander) and Jeffrey Silver (300). The film is written by Jon Hoeber & Erich Hoeber (Red).

Seems like the Summer Blockbuster season has started early this year with the visual spectacle that is Peter Berg's Battleship.

Right from the heavy VFX to the highly marketed Hasbro spinoff following in similarity to Michael Bay's Transformers, Battleship couldn't have been a better popcorn blockbuster. It looks like one, it sounds like one, it moves like one, and it thinks like one.

The Hoeber brothers have made a commendable effort in adapting the Hasbro's tactical game despite (inevitably) overlooking plausibility issues. Who would have imagined 'Battleship' as an alien invasion in the Pacific Ocean?

The sole key reference that is made to the game is depicted in an engaging middle act scene where a naval battle tactical match takes place between the humans and the aliens. A pleasant surprise is observed on a side note in the clever deployment of tsunami buoys as an alternative to radar by measuring water displacement.

Beyond that, it's difficult to view past certain probing questions that are raised by the film.

We are frequently treated to the first person perspective of the alien beings, where an automated sweeping analysis constantly takes place to determine what is safe and what is not (via instinctive colours green and red). Initially thought as a set up to exploit non-human decision-making (especially since the lead hero is initially commented to be a poor character of judgment and decisions), it isn't particularly clear as to what the algorithm is based upon (i.e. what constitutes a green status and what warrants a red). Also disturbingly not addressed is the true intention of the alien visit to Earth (presuming it is not simply just a response to a ridiculous extra-terrestrial communication attempt by us to their distant planet).

Not to forget how linearly thin the characters are written and developed (they probably expect the inclusion of mandatory featured close-ups of former model Brooklyn Decker to fill the gaps). Pop star Rihanna manage to achieve a notable film debut with a healthy dosage of featured brief action sequences and one-liners.

That having said, Peter Berg performs well in entertaining his audience with a sizeable investment in visual effects (that involves ILM and Double Negative amidst others) and well-crafted action scenes.

Berg infuses tactical strategies into the naval battle scenes for better clarity of the action amidst the explosive spectacle and din. This allows for a better appreciation of his action set pieces with purpose, where most blockbusters would easily craft them mindlessly just for the sake of having them as deliverables.

Original music by Steve Jablonsky renders an aural feel somewhere between Transformers and The Island, which isn't notably impressive in my opinion. Sound and photography are of pristine quality where both audio and visuals are technically crisp and clear.

If you can't wait for the Blockbuster season to begin in a couple of weeks' time, Battleship is arguably the best appetizer to what will possibly come - a production that delivers well to its intended audience.