After multiple release date delays, years stuck in pre-production hell, and multiple directorial changes, “Alita: Battle Angel” has finally made its way into theatres. An adaptation of the classic manga series and a passion project for director Robert Rodriguez (“From Dusk Till Dawn,” “Sin City”) and co-writer/producer James Cameron (“Titanic,” “Avatar”), does “Battle Angel” live up to its long and impressive pedigree?
It would be hard to summarize the basic plot of “Alita,” although, not for an expected reason. While the first act feels incredibly truncated, the rest of the movie feels overly long, like its try to stuff four movies worth of ideas into one. Its easy to imagine a two-and-a-half-hour or three-hour version of this film with far better pacing and plot structure.
As it stands, there’s a very standard story of revenge, independence, and love, with a sports subplot thrown in for good measure. It feels very choppy, almost like important scenes were shot, and then cut out at the last minute for time. There’s a lack of explanation for this world, and while it doesn’t require a textbook’s worth of information, it definitely needs more worldbuilding that the few short scenes given here.
While it might not be explained well, the world does look incredibly gorgeous. Practical effects and sets blend almost seamlessly with the computer-generated ones. Bright sunlight streams through sequences that radiate with color and neon screens. The sequences during a sport called “MotorBall” are especially impressive and wildly entertaining.
Alita herself, a full computer-generated character, manages to straddle the line between too real and not real enough. From the intricate carvings on her arms to her rubberized skin, gleaming with sweat during her many fights, the realism is staggering.
Visuals can only go so far though, so it’s a good thing Alita has an actress as talented as Rosa Salazar (“Bird Box,” “The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials”). She is the film’s highlight, imbuing Alita with a wonderful optimism and kick-ass attitude that draws audiences in almost immediately. Her acting range also means that in the smaller moments, where Alita reflects on who she is, there is no tonal shift. You may not see her real face, but Salazar still commands the screen.
The supporting cast, however, is a mixed bag. Christoph Waltz (“Inglorious Bastards,” “Django Unchained”) does about as well as he can with an underwritten father figure for Alita, and his wife, played by Jennifer Connelly (“Labyrinth,” “Requiem for a Dream”) just seems like the writers forgot about her halfway through production.
Mahershala Ali (“Moonlight,” “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”) fairs just barely better than Connelly, as the bland villain Vector. Keean Johnson (“The Fosters,” “Nashville”) meanwhile does a relatively fine job as Alita’s love interest Hugo, even though the film completely betrays his character arc by the end.
Out of everyone though, Ed Skrein (“Deadpool,” “Game of Thrones”) is clearly having the best time. While his villainous Zapan isn’t the most interesting character in the film, Skrein completely delivers a cheesy, over the top committed bad guy who’s just fun to watch be bonkers.
There’s no better way to describe the film as a whole. It has a sort of spit-fire spirit, mixed with a white-hot sense of style and bizarrity that makes it a simple fun time, even as the plot disintegrates around it. Alita herself basically carries the film thanks to her spirit.
It’s goofy and nonsensical, but also incredibly sincere, with a rock-solid emotional core. It’s characters genuinely care for each other, even though they may not be terribly well written. It does end in a kind of anti-climactic way, clearly setting up a sequel but just barely providing enough emotional resolution and third act confrontations to classify as an ending.
That manages to life “Alita: Battle Angel” just above mediocrity. It’s sense of action, gorgeous visual style and wonderful characters and beating heart at its core don’t surpass the plot and structural failings, but they at least make them tolerable. Not a great film, “Alita: Battle Angel” definitely doesn’t win the day. But damn if she doesn’t put up a fight. 3.5/5
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