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ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL
Having seen the trailers and teasers play over and over, like a record on repeat - it almost felt like by the time "Alita: Battle Angel" hit theatres, audiences would be burnt out on the films appeal. The visuals looked fantastic. The world looked enthralling. The characters looked intriguing. And the cast looked powerful.
All of these thing played out to their full-most potential here; bar but a few exceptions. It did not feel exhausted and repetitive as had been presumed originally. Instead, it felt new, bright and full of promise and potential.
The visuals in this film are unbelievable. The immense attention to detail and realism put into even the most profound aspects of this film - aspects which would have ben forgiven for being 'fake-looking' - are not given such treatment, but instead, granted the same respect as the things that had to unequivocally 'look real' to draw in and ensure the attention and belief of its audience. Nothing is held back here. The world of "Alita: Battle Angel" feels as true to real as our own.
Where the world is beautiful and broad, Alita herself is impeccably crafted. The same can be said for many other 'enhanced' individuals which grace this film with their uncanny appearances. Alita is alive here. You feel for her and at times, dare to forget that she, while not absent of feelings or emotions, is in fact not human - but a machine. And this is the very idea and message which Director Robert Rodriguez is masterfully weaving and crafting; appealing to the humility and humanity of us all.
The battle scenes and action sequences in this film, much like every other visual medium to be presented here are phenomenal. Wide shots allow us to see all of the action we ever so much desire to be amidst, and close shots allow for a tight, personal, dangerous feeling when it is so required. None but praise can be said for such things.
However, the story of "Alita: Battle Angel" suffers from Hollywood's desperate need to sequel bait. It leaves stories with open and unsatisfying endings; something that even a film such as this falls a victim to. While the films story does leave much to be desired from the get-go, the ending detracts so much from the film that it leaves audiences almost wondering what the purpose of the film and world they sat through and became invested in was for to begin with. It's not done with respect or elegance, but rather, with brutish, clumsiness and a groan of Hollywood greed.
The ending feels cut off. As if it had been filmed and there had been another hour of this film sitting somewhere on the cutting room floor, but instead, was rolled up and placed away to drag out another two hour movie which might bring in another multi-million dollar opening week when the filmmakers decided it was time for another pay-check.
Such things can be said for a great many films which are far less entertaining and have had far less integrity and respect given to them by their creators, crew and cast. But for "Alita: Battle Angel", the story gripes and the obvious eagerness to spit out a sequel do not take away too severely from the visual spectacle of it all. If you're wanting a deep, multilayered, character driven film -- this will not quite hit the spot. But if you're ready to switch off, sit back and enjoy the visual spectacle of it all and appreciate the lightly dusted story which weaves its way into it all?
You might just like this one.
ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL
Having seen the trailers and teasers play over and over, like a record on repeat - it almost felt like by the time "Alita: Battle Angel" hit theatres, audiences would be burnt out on the films appeal. The visuals looked fantastic. The world looked enthralling. The characters looked intriguing. And the cast looked powerful.
All of these thing played out to their full-most potential here; bar but a few exceptions. It did not feel exhausted and repetitive as had been presumed originally. Instead, it felt new, bright and full of promise and potential.
The visuals in this film are unbelievable. The immense attention to detail and realism put into even the most profound aspects of this film - aspects which would have ben forgiven for being 'fake-looking' - are not given such treatment, but instead, granted the same respect as the things that had to unequivocally 'look real' to draw in and ensure the attention and belief of its audience. Nothing is held back here. The world of "Alita: Battle Angel" feels as true to real as our own.
Where the world is beautiful and broad, Alita herself is impeccably crafted. The same can be said for many other 'enhanced' individuals which grace this film with their uncanny appearances. Alita is alive here. You feel for her and at times, dare to forget that she, while not absent of feelings or emotions, is in fact not human - but a machine. And this is the very idea and message which Director Robert Rodriguez is masterfully weaving and crafting; appealing to the humility and humanity of us all.
The battle scenes and action sequences in this film, much like every other visual medium to be presented here are phenomenal. Wide shots allow us to see all of the action we ever so much desire to be amidst, and close shots allow for a tight, personal, dangerous feeling when it is so required. None but praise can be said for such things.
However, the story of "Alita: Battle Angel" suffers from Hollywood's desperate need to sequel bait. It leaves stories with open and unsatisfying endings; something that even a film such as this falls a victim to. While the films story does leave much to be desired from the get-go, the ending detracts so much from the film that it leaves audiences almost wondering what the purpose of the film and world they sat through and became invested in was for to begin with. It's not done with respect or elegance, but rather, with brutish, clumsiness and a groan of Hollywood greed.
The ending feels cut off. As if it had been filmed and there had been another hour of this film sitting somewhere on the cutting room floor, but instead, was rolled up and placed away to drag out another two hour movie which might bring in another multi-million dollar opening week when the filmmakers decided it was time for another pay-check.
Such things can be said for a great many films which are far less entertaining and have had far less integrity and respect given to them by their creators, crew and cast. But for "Alita: Battle Angel", the story gripes and the obvious eagerness to spit out a sequel do not take away too severely from the visual spectacle of it all. If you're wanting a deep, multilayered, character driven film -- this will not quite hit the spot. But if you're ready to switch off, sit back and enjoy the visual spectacle of it all and appreciate the lightly dusted story which weaves its way into it all?
You might just like this one.