A fleet of international warships carrying out naval exercises come up against a strange metal craft in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Admiral Shane (Liam Neeson), whose crew includes Alex Hopper (Taylor Kitsch), his brother Stone (Alexander Skarsgård) and Raikes (Rihanna), decides to investigate the object. It turns out to be a huge machine housing an alien race called Regents. Armed with superior technology, the Regents are here for the Earth's resources and attack immediately after first contact. Admiral Shane and his crew counter attack, launching a bloody battle that soon spreads to land and air.

Director Peter Berg (Hancock) and his screenwriters Erich and Jon Hoeber based their action extravaganza on the board game of the same name. The story of this $200 million sci-fi monster has been told often and better, but those who are more interested in epic battle scenes and original spaceship design will enjoy this movie anyway.