Annapolis

A young shipyard welder is admitted to the naval academy. His talent for boxing becomes the only thing holding him there. The film sets out the discipline of the academy and the class difference, but the narrative turns into a boxing picture quickly, reducing the first year of training largely to ground for a personal reckoning. Justin Lin directed, having drawn attention with his previous independent film. James Franco and Tyrese Gibson lead. The navy declined to support the production, so it could not be shot at the real academy. Who it's for: those who like military school and boxing films. Who it's not for: viewers wanting a realistic account of the academy; the patterns are familiar and the outcome clear from the start.