Alita is THAT Angel on the Battlefield
- Mira
- Feb 6, 2019
- 6 min read
Alita: Battle Angel is a movie adapted from a manga by Yukito Kishira, 'Battle Angel Alita'. The movie tells a story about a girl who, I think appears as a cyborg (or of some sort). The movie sets centuries into the future from our time. So, Alita was among scraps of parts that Dr. Ido happens to find in the junkyard, I assume, in the Iron City. The movie centers around Alita's lost origin. I don't want to give too much details because this is a spoiler-free review.
I went to watch Alita: Battle Angel on IMAX 3D. At first it was a mistake done on my part (lol). I don't really enjoy watching IMAX on 3D because some movies have an overwhelming visual effects that made my eyes uncomfortable. Some movies are definitely worth the 3D though. But anyway, I thought my experience would be bad because I bought the tickets for IMAX 3D instead of 2D. However, the visual effects for Alita Battle Angel, definitely deserves to be watched on a spectacular screen like IMAX, ONYX Halls or even DOLBY Atmos hall at best. Whatever it is, if you go for Regular Halls, the experience would be slightly less. Because the visual for this film is amazing.
To break it down the storyline started out to me a bit fast. At the very beginning of the film, I somehow felt like I was watching the film, half-way into the film. Which was odd. However, now that I reconsider the reasons maybe it was to make sense of how fast the world is in that age. It seems possible, at best. I am very forgiving when it comes to reviewing a movie. Unless a movie is not salvageable. However, that was the only small bump I think I had. What I like about this movie is that it definitely serves as an 'origin story' for Alita. However, the writers didn't waste time in dwelling in her past. In my experience of watching films, most films that tend to dwell too much on the past, using flashbacks always end up making the origin story typical and boring. However, in Alita's case, the writers probably got the gist of it. People are sick of boring origin story so they didn't bother much about who Alita were instead focused on what she IS at the moment. Which I definitely love! The character development was done marvelously, although we have to bear in mind that Alita is not human. Her development is fast because let's just assume in the next few centuries that's how vast the technology is. So, we put ourselves in that time. But, through the movie she grows into her character of her own. However, I feel like the movie weighs in a bit too much about the people Alita is connected with. So, we don't get much of how bad Mahershala Ali's character, Vector is. He was, honestly like an accessories a bit. But, that's fine cause... well there are reasons to it which I do not want to disclose. I just feel like there could be more to his character than just THAT. I feel like this movie is an introduction to the real big bad guy. (GO OUT AND WATCH THE MOVIE SO WE GET A SEQUEL!)
Thankfully, the script to this movie isn't cheesy at all. I can never take cheesy lines. Especially in some dystopian era films and this movie doesn't have the, 'I'M HERE TO REBEL' lines as obvious. It was more of her actions. Her actions is her rebellion which is nice.
A little tiny hint, the thing I love the most about this movie is that Alita is no damsel in distress. She is out there saving the dude in distress. (Listen, I googled what's the male equivalent for 'damsel in distress'. No result lol. So it is what it is). I love how strong Alita is. I am such a sucker for strong female characters. So Alita is like one of the best female characters to start 2019 with. She could be an icon to young girls and what they're capable of being. FEMALE EMPOWERMENT REPRESENT!
The cast of Alita, first of all let me applaud Rosa Salazar on her portrayal as Alita. I heard that there were a line of actors contending for Alita. Bella Thorne, Zendaya was on the run but eventually the role fell on Rosa Salazar. Honestly, truly, really Rosa Salazar did a splendid job at portraying Alita. You know the actor is good when you feel their soul in the character they're playing. Like, traces of her is in Alita, she is Alita. She was perfect as Alita. I couldn't imagine anyone else doing Alita besides her. (No hate on Zendaya or Bella. They would probably do a great job too but the role was perfect for Rosa). Besides that, the scripts were delivered so wonderfully by Rosa Salazar. For example, when Alita expresses anger, she delivers the script effortlessly but you can feel how furious Alita is.
Christoph Waltz (playing the role of Dr. Ido) delivered a heart warming father figure character in the film and to me, the love radiates. Just like any other fatherly character. I love the fact that my QUEEN Alita is getting enough love so I love his character so much. I feel like his character is so important to Alita's development and Christoph Waltz did it effortlessly.
Lana Condor was also in Alita but it's sad she only had one line in.
As I've mentioned earlier, the movie deserves to be watched on a majestic hall. I truly love how the attention they gave to the details. Alita does appear to be non-human like for a bit. (I know the eyes.) But listen, according to the director, they wanted to still give Alita the anime-manga element to her character like the eyes of Alita in the manga itself. They wanted to stay true to the character and serves the character justice. And I feel like, THEY NAILED IT. Not much directors want to go into that detail when it comes to adapting an anime/manga into a movie. Most directors just completely whitewashes is, and leaves no traces of the adapted piece in it. However, there are also the reasons and essence to why Alita appears different than a normal human being in the movie, because well simply because she isn't.
The CGI of the movie was smooth and beautiful. The most satisfying part is that Alita was crafted so perfectly with a lot of details that you don't feel like she didn't look like she did not belong among the humans in all of the scenes.
Besides Alita, the CGI given to other robots, creatures were just as magnificent. In terms of the cinematography, there wasn't much effort to it but it is understandable because there was no need for it. They live in a junk city. Nothing glamorous to it. Imagine how weird it would be if the cinematography is beautiful but it is being described as the places for all the trashes.
Did I mentioned that Alita was filled with ass kicking fighting scene? The fight scenes were like none other! It was calculated, strong, firm and stead-fast. Alita's performance as a fighter in the film was unquestionable. She was this petite cyborg with really awesome tricks up her sleeves. She was fast, strong and a dancer in the battlefield. To watch the fight scenes in the movie was the best parts, the moves were fresh and new. If you think Alita is a cute princess fighting bad guys, you got it all wrong. Alita does not shy away from the violence and the gruesome action scenes she did. The directors, went all out for Alita. So, trust me, you will get your dose of awesome, bad-ass, violent action scene that everyone loves.
Also I love the fact that they don't 'LOVE' their characters as much so... there are eliminations of some characters you might later grow fond off. But definitely not unfounded losses.
I think it's pretty obvious how much I like the movie based on this review. So get your asses up and book a ticket for Alita: Battle Angel now!
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