CORPORATE LINE: When he won a coveted admission spot tothe Naval Academy at Annapolis, local kid Jake Huard (James Franco, “James Dean”) thought all his dreams had come true – but his battle to become the man he wants to be is only just the beginning.
Now, uncertain if a regular kid from a poor blue collar family can fit into the Academy’s pressure-cooker atmosphere, and barely making the grade as a Freshman “plebe,” Jake has one last shot at proving he has what it takes to become an officer in an institution that boasts a venerable 137-year history of focused discipline and determined excellence. With nothing left to lose, Jake decides to enter the notoriously fierce Navy boxing competition known as the Brigade Championships — and face off against his arch-nemesis, Midshipman Lt. Cole (TYRESE GIBSON). Everything Jake has ever hoped for stands in the balance: the chance to make his father proud, to validate his Lieutenant’s faith in him, to stand up for his fellow plebes, and most of all, to forge a different future.
Directed by critically acclaimed indie director Justin Lin (“Better Luck Tomorrow”), comes this exhilarating comeback story of a courageous young sailor who discovers that some opportunities in life are worth fighting for. Jake’s fellow classmates are comprised of a dynamic young cast that includes Jordana Brewster as the alluringly tough, female commander who helps to train Jake; Donnie Wahlberg as Lt. Cmdr. Burton, the officer who first decides to take a chance on Jake; and Chi McBride as the boxing coach who takes Jake from amateur swinger to focused warrior.
REVIEW: Sadly, James Franco isn’t given a character with enough meat. Jake is the type of character that you watch and don’t care about. Maybe its Franco. After second thought perhaps he doesn’t do a good enough job characterizing Jake’s qualities—no matter the cause this isn’t fun to watch.
The rest of Annapolis follows in Franco’s, or Jake’s, footsteps. Every character is a cliché and every actor that steps into the character’s shoes play the character exactly the same. Even the attempt at adding a romantic interest falls apart and disappears somewhere within.
THE EXTRAS:
The commentary by Director Justin Lin, writer David Collard, and editor Fred Baskin didn’t inspire me further. The commentary is as uninspiring as the film.
The deleted scenes with optional audio commentary are meager extras. We watched—now you don’t have to. “Plebe Year: The Story of Annapolis” featurette is an eleven minute extra and “The Brigades” is an in-depth look at the boxing sequences, including training, choreography and camera techniques.
FRANKLY: Annapolis is tiresome. Honestly, after staying up a bit after my usual bed time to watch this I couldn’t help but feel that the sleep was more valuable.
+ Charlie Craine
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