Gallery: Alien War Story Battle: Los Angeles Can't Compete With Real Thing
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*The invasion sequences in* Battle: Los Angeles *are inspired by a never-explained UFO sighting in 1942 off the California coastline.*
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*A helicopter view of the City of Angels midway through* Battle: Los Angeles *looks impressive*.
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*Visual effects supervisor Everett Burrell captured pictures of the California coast from a helicopter and used the photos as background plates, to which smoke and aliens were digitally added.*
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*Cinematographer Lukas Ettlin uses a variety of media to render* Battle: Los Angeles' *chaotic textures.*
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*Director Jonathan Liebesman got the* Battle: Los Angeles *gig after shooting a presentation reel on the streets of Los Angeles with a digital video camera, but the movie was [filmed mainly in Louisiana](http://articles.latimes.com/2011/mar/02/business/la-fi-ct-onlocation-20110302).*
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*The alien invasion in* Battle: Los Angeles *unfolds over the course of one bloody day and night.*
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*Helicopters from Southern California's Camp Pendleton provide air support.*.
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*Aaron Eckhart stars as Staff Sgt. Nantz.*
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