"Annapolis"
by Sonya Artero


More than 10,000 students and enlisted personnel apply to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis each year to fill a fraction of about 1,200 openings in the freshman, or plebe, class.
In as much the title, Annapolis suggests the movie is about the challenges of earning one of those coveted slots, it's more about a boxing match.

But not to worry, the majority of men who see the movie for the boxing element alone, will not be disappointed. And I have to be honest, I found the boxing just as exciting. Where the movie fails, is it doesn't allow you to connect with the characters, who you so desperately want to understand. The main character is James Franco who stars as Jake Huard, a welder who works across the river from the Academy.

All his life, he dreams of going to Annapolis and suddenly, by a slim chance, he finally gets the opportunity as a replacement waitlister. However, Kake's terrible relationship with his commanding officer is the sole reason he trains for the boxing tournament known as The Brigades, because in the ring, is the only way Jake can have a shot at him. In many ways, the movie emulates scenes from both Top Gun as well as An Officer And A Gentleman.

While the movie's characters lacked depth, the boxing scenes definitely made up for it. So if you think you would enjoy an inspiring boxing movie, Annapolis is the weekend flick for you.