Battlefield Earth MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +3 Content: -1

The year is 3,000 A.D. and civilization on Earth has been largely annihilated by a cruel, but technically advanced, race of aliens known as Psychlos. But a primitive band of humans have survived, including Jonnie Goodboy Tyler (Barry Pepper), an impulsive, energetic young man who leaves his community searching for information about the outside world. With other humans, he is captured and forced into slave labor in gold mines operated by the Psychlos. But he outwits Terl (John Travolta), Security Chief of the Psychlos, and along with the other captives make a break for freedom. Along the way, Jonnie develops the support of Terls brutish assistant, Ker (Forest Whitaker), who also wants Terl humiliated. And a massive series of ground and aerial battles gets under way. The action, fighting and tension in this dark, intense adventure never let up. The plot is rather predictable and some of the events far fetched, but the special effects are phenomenal. The action and excitement, along with popular actor John Travolta, will likely attract older teens and young adults in large numbers.

This movie was developed from a novel written by L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Church of Scientology. While this religion conflicts with several tenants of Christianity, its religious beliefs do not appear to have been incorporated into the story. Instead, the film features almost constant violent events for entertainment, including fierce hand and aerial battles, vicious treatment and killing of slaves, massive destruction of buildings and weapons, and gruesome events such as the eating of live rats. At the same time, the courageous struggle of men to overcome their evil masters and live in freedom is inspiring. And the humans display a strong loyalty and willingness to sacrifice for each other. Foul language in the dialogue is limited, but still contains a number of mild crudities as well as several obscenities. Sexual conduct is not present, but a few mild, suggestive comments and events are included. Obscenities are offensive, but violence in the film is excessive and exploited just to entertain, so BATTLEFIELD EARTH goes beyond our acceptability standards.

Preview Reviewer: John Evans
Distributor: Warner Bros., 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522