Can ‘Battleship’ movie prove doubters wrong?

'Battleship', one of the biggest movies of 2012, hasn't had the best press. Yes, it's based on the pencil and paper game - which sees players call out numbers on a grid.

Amazingly the concept, owned by Hasbro (who also own the 'Transformers' license), was bought by studio Universal and is now a mega budget movie that (believe us), will be ubiquitous in ad breaks and on the side of buses in the next few months. The film is released on 20 April.

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It stars Taylor Kitsch as a naval officer whose ship becomes embroiled in an intense battle with an alien race, called the Regents, on the high seas. Liam Neeson and Rihanna (we'll get to her later) co-star.

But is the public ready for a movie based on an 80-year-old boardgame? We spoke to the film's director, Peter Berg, who was dismissive of the film's critics.

"The title is definitely a hindrance when it comes to the film intelligentsia — the chirpers who sit around and go on very restricted websites and talk about how inane Hollywood is for running out of ideas" he said.

"Until the movie proves itself to work then the title will be easy to make fun off. But I believe the movie works and that the average man, woman or child, they don't really care."

He cited 'Pirates of the Caribbean' - based on a theme park ride — as a franchise that was successful despite inauspicious beginnings.

Berg, also insisted that the basic concept of Battleship "I'm trying to find you', you're trying to find me" will make for intense and interesting drama.

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"I thought the idea of contained warfare, of five ships against five ships, trying to find each other and trying to deal with each other, could lead to a dramatic story."

The casting of Rihanna — in her first movie role — has also raised eyebrows, but Berg insists it's not a public stunt.

"Was her fame something I was aware of when I cast her in the film? Of course it was. I hope millions of people who are fans of Rihanna will come and see the film because she is in it.

"[But] I think [she] is extraordinary talented, she is GREAT in 'Battleship'... there's no red wigs or high heels."

Check out the trailer below and let us know what you think.