Battle LA is a shaky-camera, low-budget flick about an alien invasion of earth. But it’s useful for its microcosmic view of every US war. The enemy—whether Mexicans or Southerners, Russians or Muslims—are not just subhuman; they’re non-human. There is no negotiating with an implacable opponent; it must be wiped out. Always, our one hope is the US military, especially the marine corps, composed entirely of paladins. Civilians are a pain in the neck, unless they take military orders and kill the enemy. Hoorah.