Annapolis (2006)

User Rating:

4.8/10   

Director:

Justin Lin

Writer (WGA):

David Collard (written by)

Release Date:

27 January 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | Sport

Tagline:

50,000 Apply. 1,200 Are Accepted. Only The Best Survive.

Plot:

Set against the backdrop of boxing at the Naval Academy, centers on a young man from the wrong side of the tracks whose dream of attending Annapolis becomes a reality.

Plot Keywords:

Male Female Relationship | Flirting | Father Son Relationship | U.S. Naval Academy | Practical Joke

Cast

James Franco	...	Jake Huard
Macka Foley	...	Ref
Jim Parrack	...	AJ
Donnie Wahlberg	...	Lt. Burton
Brian Goodman	...	Bill Huard
Billy Finnigan	...	Kevin
Jordana Brewster	...	Ali
Katie Hein	...	Risa
Jimmy Lin	...	Midshipman Lin (as Jimmy Yi Fu Lin)
Charles Napier	...	Supt. Carter
Heather Henderson	...	Daniels
Vicellous Reon Shannon	...	Twins (as Vicellous Shannon)
Roger Fan	...	Loo
McCaleb Burnett	...	Whitaker
Wilmer Calderon	...	Estrada

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some violence, sexual content and language.

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (certificate #42109) | Singapore:PG | UK:12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Iceland:L | New Zealand:M | South Korea:12

Filming Locations:

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Company:

Mother B Productions

Trivia:

The trailer shows a battleship exploding and people falling into a pool at what appears to be a party; neither of those things actually appear in the film.

Goofs:

Factual errors: At the boxing tournament, none of the boxers wears headgear. While a lack of headgear makes it much easier to see the actors' faces, headgear is mandatory for any tournament at collegiate level, and especially an intramural one.

Quotes:

Lt. Commander Burton: He also said you were the biggest pain in the ass he'd ever met.
Jake Huard: I had to go back a couple times.
Lt. Commander Burton: How many?
Jake Huard: 34 straight days, sir.

Movie Connections:

References "Dr. Phil" (2002)

Soundtrack:

When I'm Gone (Sadie)

Boxing at Annapolis: Is that all there is?

From the graphics, trailer, and cover of the DVD, ANNAPOLIS looks as though it is a movie about life in military training. And, yes, there are scenes showing the rigorous training these young men receive on their way to becoming Navy officers. But quickly after the Annapolis portion of the film begins the story turns into yet another young boxer proves himself through his sport story and not a very powerful one at that. For those expecting something more, then best to look at other films from the past about military training.

The plot is full of clichés, each of which has a weak lead-in and an easy-to-predict ending. Thee are some good actors assigned to the cast - James Franco (more buff than he has ever looked!), Jordana Brewster, Donnie Wahlberg, and some strong supporting cast members, but the story never involves us beyond a head-nodding 'yes, I've seen this before' status. It is a piecemeal work, some of the pieces being sensitive but most being disposable. The story doesn't seem to have a point except that of life in the first year of Annapolis is tough, that those in charge may seem really mean but they all have heart, and the good underdogs make the best of a bad situation.

But if you like boxing movies, this one has a lot of time in the ring and for that audience ANNAPOLIS will please. Grady Harp