Movie Review

Annapolis

"Annapolis" centers on Jake Huard (James Franco), a young rivet worker/boxer who plays by his own rules. He is accepted into the Annapolis Naval Academy, a dream he's wanted since he was a young kid. Only if he is to attain his dream of wearing the white suit and ribbons, he will have to get by his commanding officer, LT. Cole (Tyrese Gibson), a military and navy man. Cole sees Jake as irresponsible, a liability not worthy to wear the uniform. Jake sees Cole as unfair and pompous. Their emotions will come to a head in a Naval Academy boxing tournament called "The Brigades,? in which both men will be competing for king of the ring.

Why does Hollywood keep wasting film on stories that don't need to be re-told? Watching "Annapolis" is pretty much like playing name-that-movie; you should pretty much be allowed to shout out the titles as you watch. There is a little bit of "An Office and a Gentlemen" in here, a little of "Full Metal Jacket,? and the movie that gave me the triple word score, "Rocky.? Now I admit that watching a recycled movie can be fun sometimes, and I should know because "Cinderella Man" was a favorite of mine from last year ? but I also think that even a generic movie should bring at least a little of its own personality to the table.

This story never seems to do that, as it continues on its own predictable streak. Jake arrives in Annapolis, stubborn and unwilling to ask for help. He is smitten by a lovely senior cadet played by Jordana Brewster, who?s there mainly to play "the female" role of cheering girlfriend, although the relationship is never developed to begin with. He is given a hard-ass drill sergeant whose goal it is to make Jake quit, although we know he never will. And then there is the fat, losery guy who can't do the obstacle course who the hero is going to have to help. The script is nothing but a long string of clich?s that never manage to engage or compel us because it all seems so recycled. Had this movie really decided to dive into the real pressures of succeeding at this Naval Academy, it probably could have been time better spent, but this movie doesn't even seem to know what it wants to be about. It begins as a story about getting through one of the toughest Naval Academies in the world, but rather than really focus on the academic part of the rigorous physical training, the movie becomes more of an underdog boxing movie.

This movie does have some saving graces, however, in director Justin Lin and in stars James Franco and Tyrese Gibson. Lin is best known for making "Better Luck Tomorrow,? the Asian-American high school counter-part to "Reservoir Dogs.? He brought a lot of style to that film and here he does the same. He brings a level of respect and class to the institution of Annapolis and never lets the movie become watered-down in sentimentality. He also shows an electrifying eye for the boxing scenes, making them fast-paced and sometimes even goes with the point of view shot of one of the boxers. He does everything he can to make this movie interesting and that it never bores becomes a testament to how good a director he is. I can't wait to see what he does this summer with "Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.?

Franco and Gibson also become major contributors here. Franco gives a sort of subdued intensity to Jake, and Gibson, in a commanding performance, has Cole wear his cold, aggressive, testosterone fueled personality right on his sleeve. The two have an excellent love-hate chemistry that makes the relationship between freshman and senior officer heat up, even in the most mundane of scenes. It's too bad that Annapolis is strictly formula and not good enough for the young up-and-coming talent on display.

Craig's Grade: C+

A	10.9%
B	41.8%
C	31.8%
D	15.3%
F	0.3%