'Battle: LA' Premiers In South Beach

MIAMI (CBS4) - The stars of Hollywood's next big alien flick are out on South Beach.

In the movie 'Battle: LA', which premieres Monday night in South Beach's Regal Cinema, Earth is under attack from alien forces. Los Angeles becomes the last stage for the the U.S. Marines to prevail and win the fight against the aliens for all mankind.

Aaron Eckhart stars as a career marine on the brink of retirement. Actor Ramon Rodriguez plays a younger, less experienced lieutenant in the battle.

"I think it's action from beginning to end, it's relentless, it's ongoing," says Rodriguez.

Best known for her roles in the cult show "Lost" and James Cameron's 'Avatar', actress Michelle Rodriguez takes on the part of Air Force Tech Sergeant Elena Santos, the first to track the aliens in the movie.

In an interview with Rodriguez, CBS4's Lisa Petrillo asked her about reoccurring role as a female hero, "I think it's the tomboy thing," answered Rodriguez, "I chose the Transformers over the Barbies, so that kind of helps."

To prepare the movie's actors, the filmmakers dropped the cast into an intense three week boot camp with actual Marines and absolutely no contact with the outside world.

"It was the glue. Without that boot camp there wouldn't have been the bond," said Ramon. "What you learn about a platoon is marines don't leave another man or woman behind and it's because they are like family."

Ramon said that during the three week intense training, the actors became family.

When asked about the boot camp, Michelle explained, "Every day you felt like coming home and bathing in a nice salt water bath-to get rid of the pain. It was running around with 30 pounds of gear in 100 degree weather."

An important lesson for all the actors was a deeper respect and pride for the real-life Marine's in harm's way.

"My biggest critics are the Marines. I want to check with them and see how I did. I hope they think I did them justice," said Ramon.

The red carpet premiere for 'Battle: LA' will be held Monday night at 7 pm in the Regal Cinema on Lincoln Road.