Annapolis (2006)

Please don't spend money on this.

Fresh and Exciting

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Although I've never been to a military academy I am aware that plebes (first-year students) are not allowed to fraternize with upperclassmen (or women), although I've heard stories of plebes who were "recognized" during plebe year and were allowed to fraternize with those specific individuals. Therefore, the Franco-Brewster relationship is wrong, at least until he gets to his second year. Franco's character also seems to have way too much time on his hands (isn't he supposed to be in his room for study period and after lights out?). And as several people have pointed out, Tyrese Gibson's character was a Marine, not a "soldier." I bet a lot of ex-Marines found that to be a hoot.Now for my question: Huard (Franco) and Loo. Loo got one midshipman kicked out on an honor violation, he moves out of the room and encourages Twins to do the same because Huard "is just going to bring you down," in his preliminary fight with Huard he tells him that "payback is a b****" and taunts him throughout the match. Then he ends up, along with Ali (Brewster), coaching him for Brigades! And where did she learn to box? She doesn't even seem to be the type who would get dirt on herself!A few words from the writers might have been in order.

In the boxing ring, men flock to see hunky James Franco (as Jake S. Huard) strut his six-pack abs. He also works as a ship-welder for his father, but Mr. Franco would rather join the Navel Academy at "Annapolis". Franco gets his wish when Donnie Wahlberg (as Lieutenant Burton), a self-described "36-year-old out-of-shape lieutenant," who can be caught ogling Franco in the opening fight, pulls some strings to get Franco signed up. Franco, who "came straight here from high school," meets Tyrese Gibson (as Commander Cole) in the ring, makes goo-goo eyes at pretty superior officer Jordana Brewster (as Ali), and trains to be a better boxer.Other than seeing handsome Franco's bugling muscles, you may not think Justin Lin's "Annapolis" is worth watching. The story is ordinary to a fault, and clichéd beyond hope. But, it's not too poorly produced. And, you can see how supporting and featured players can make something out of an assignment - going to the head of the class is Vicellous Shannon (as Marcus "Twins" Nance), who does an exemplary job with his character. Sporting more fat than muscle, Mr. Shannon milks every drop out of his script, without overdoing it, and takes the title "Best Supporting Actor" in a film that will wasn't ever going to win any awards.**** Annapolis (1/27/06) Justin Lin ~ James Franco, Tyrese Gibson, Vicellous Shannon, Jordana Brewster

as someone who grew up in Annapolis and spent many years roaming around the academy (except the restricted areas of course) i was disappointed to see that nothing was actually filmed at the usna. the obstacle course shown in the movie was in a wooded area surrounded by trees...actually the real obstacle course was next to the Severn river and was totally in the open, i know because i have run it hundreds of times as a teenager. there are no shipyards within miles of the academy (at least not for battleships - just for small watercraft and personal boats) i did not see one shot of Tecumseh or john paul jones tomb or Halsey fieldhouse...huge landmarks of the grounds. the movie itself (aside from the accuracy of the "set" was terrible...poor acting, boxing action soooo inaccurate (no headgear? bye bye careers of the guys in charge - spend $200,000 on an education and lose the investment when someone gets turned into a vegetable boxing without gear? HAHA) no one goes anywhere in dress units without a hat on their head unless they wanna run for a month. try going to the academy next time and getting some help, although im sure filming wasn't allowed for reasons of national security.

Like other reviewers here, I'm a Naval Academy graduate. I'm proud of it. Those of us who went there refer to it as it The Academy. Not "this academy" and certainly not "Annapolis"--that's what civilians call the place. To Mids, Annapolis is just a sort of cute little town outside the gates. This movie has about as much to do with the real Academy as, as, well darn--I can't even think of a suitable simile. Let's put it this way--the characters in the movie wear Midshipman uniforms and call each other by Naval rank titles. That's about it. It costs very, very little to make a movie accurate, but no one on this movie would let accuracy get in the way of "telling a story". But when you're supposed to be telling a story set in reality, these inaccuracies effectively gut the story. Gee, you want an exciting Brigade Boxing story? Try Oliver North boxing James Webb for the 1968 Brigade Championship--a true story, and far more compelling and exciting than this story. Other reviewers have pointed out many of the inaccuracies in this story but oddly enough many others see this as a "recruiting story" for the Navy or the military; I think this conclusion could only be reached by those who are even more ignorant of the service than those making this movie. All in all a pretty complete waste of an hour and forty-eight minutes. If you want to see a decent movie about the Naval Academy, "Navy Blue and Gold" made in 1937 is a far more accurate depiction, even 71 years later. It's also a much better story.