Quartile rating: 6.5/10 · 1 rating
Jake Huard, from a shipbuilders family, promised his dying mother he'ld make it to Anapolis Naval Academy. Thanks to tenaciously bugging a Congressman, he's selected despite dubious grades. Once inside, Jake soon proves sub-standard academically. Constantly challenged to his limits, repeatedly made the 'over-cocky' reason for the entire class to suffer, Jake nearly quits, but after facing his utterly un-supportive father's gloating returns just in time. Stubborn Jake finds support withs mates as well as Senor Ali, his lover-to-be, and a discipline he may excel in: the 'brigade' boxing tournament, open to all ranks.
Annapolis is a formulaic underdog-sports-drama hybrid that lifts liberally from both military academy films (An Officer and a Gentleman) and boxing pictures (Rocky), offering little fresh narrative territory. The plot hits every expected beat—reluctant hero, unsupportive father, forbidden romance, redemptive tournament—without subverting or reinventing any of them, earning a low Novelty score. Acting is serviceable but unremarkable; James Franco leads with adequate but uncharismatic work, and the supporting cast is largely stock. Cinematography is competent and occasionally punchy in the boxing sequences but nothing distinctive. The ending resolves exactly as telegraphed from the opening scenes, providing closure without surprise or emotional weight.