From the director of Frost and The Flood comes this action-packed thriller that sets off a new indie cinematic universe if you will, one set in World War II.

It is July 7, 1944. The island of Saipan is the location of a massive battle between the United States and the Japanese Imperial Forces. In the area is a hospital for injured soldiers. Led by former General Jake Carroll, aside from the nurses are two medics, Vic and Connor. When a group led by Major William Porter arrives, after being ambushed by Imperial forces, the medics and nurses are quick to help them. However, danger is about to arrive.

When the Japanese forces fly above the hospital and begin to launch an attack on it, it is followed by soldiers invading and killing anyone on site. Those who remain are hidden until they decide to protect the place at all costs. Vic, who has no formal combat training, learns from General Carroll and Major Porter. Together, with the remaining nurses and soldiers, this group is ready for their own war.

When people see movies set in World War II or any other war of the past, many expect something along the lines of Saving Private Ryan, Full Metal Jacket, and Platoon to name a few. However, lower budget films tend to be more lambasted and while they may not be historically accurate, there is nothing wrong with enjoying a fun popcorn action film set during one of the great wars. Is it historically accurate? Not always, but it doesn’t have to take away the action portion of things. And that’s exactly what Brandon Slagle achieves in this first installment of what I will be calling the “Slagle WWII Universe”.

Casper Van Dien is excellent in the lead role of Vic, a medic who has no formal combat training and yet, we see him during the opening credits unleashing on a punching bag. It is quite interesting because we have the “reluctant and unlikely hero” of the film in his character as we have Jeff Fahey’s General looking downridden and tragic. It is as if being stationed to a hospital is beneath him and quite frankly, he spends his time drinking and not caring, despite Vic’s efforts to get to him.

Louis Mandylor is excellent as Major William Porter, the natural born leader of a platoon who are ambushed in the film’s opening moments. Porter is both tough and sympathetic towards his soldiers. He treats them like they are his brothers. He is not just well-versed in firearms, but we get to see Mandylor in some pretty nifty fight scenes as does Van Dien. The fight scenes were a bit inspired by The Raid: Redemption with its sweeping camerawork and editing. They are actually pretty well done for working with a Thai stunt team and a low budget.

Battle for Saipan is a pretty good popcorn WWII action film that has both insane firepower and twists along with some pretty good fight scenes along with excellent performances from Casper Van Dien and Louis Mandylor. Definitely one for indie action fans.

WFG RATING: B+

Saban Films present a Hillin Entertainment production in association with Audio Post House and Benetone Films. Director: Brandon Slagle. Producer: Daemon Hillin. Writer: Brandon Slagle. Cinematography: Niccolo de la Fere. Editing: Austin Nordell.

Cast: Casper Van Dien, Louis Mandylor, Jeff Fahey, Eoin O’Brien, Jennifer Wenger, Devanny Pinn, Randall J. Bacon, Hiroki Koyama, Stien Dacis, Josh Riley, Alexander Winters, Nobu T. Watanabe.