Alan Ritchson leads a group of fellow soldiers, all determined to be Rangers, in a fierce battle with an otherworldly presence.

Ritchson has proven himself to be an enjoyable performer, and is working at refining his acting skills (and they are improving), and Hughes who not only directed the film but had a hand in the script, takes his time building the story.

We are introduced to Recruit 81 (Ritchson) who is determined, this time, to make it across the finish line and become a Ranger; a promise he and his brother made, and serves as the character’s drive.

He doesn’t connect with the rest of the recruits, something noted by the base commander (Dennis Quaid) and his aide (Esai Morales). He passes test after test, however, so a plan is created.

81 is put in charge of the last few recruits during a final test, known as the Death March. It’s an organized test with targets, and a timeline.

But it’s not a test any longer.

The film hints at an extra solar something passing close to Earth. It breaks apart, and something comes down within the testing area, and the recruits initially mistake it for the target. It’s not, in fact, it’s some sort of alien war machine, and now that it’s roused, it’s hunting 81 and his squad down.

It’s brutal, bloody, and features some solid stunt work, some of which were done by Ritchson himelf. It must be hard to find a suitable stuntman, given his size.

I really liked the fact that the film didn’t jump right into the battle. There’s lots of build-up first, some character stuff, lots of training. It allows us to invest in the characters and realize how tough they are with the training they go through.

And of they’re tough, and this machine is taking them on easily, it shows how much of a threat it is.

It’s a fairly straightforward film, a bit of an update on Predator if you will, right down to the concept that brawn won’t win the day, but brains.

It’s an entertaining enough film, a little gung ho. So much so that it feels like a bit of a throwback to 80s actioners. And all of it rests on Ritchson’s shoulders. And honestly, Ritchson seems like a good guy, he’s likable, and seems humble and grounded. You want to hang out with him.

And that makes for an engaging film. Even if it comes off as predictable.

War Machine is a familiar action film, but done big, loud and bloody. A solid night’s entertainment, but probably not high on the rewatch list, especially with Predator out there.