Director: Robert Rodriguez
Screenwriters: James Cameron, Laeta Kalogridis & Robert Rodriguez; based on the graphic novel by Yukito Kishiro
Stars: Rosa Salazar, Christoph Waltz, Jennifer Connelly
Crested by Yukito Kishiro for Jump Magazine in the 90s, Alita is a cyberpunk Manga series brought faithfully to life courtesy of director Robert Rodriguez with a screenplay by himself, James Cameron, and Laeta Kalogridis
With what seems to be a sprinkle of Ghost in the Shell and Astro Boy (2009), Alita ticks a lot of high marks. The story itself is engaging enough following Alita who is found in a scrap yard by Dr. Ido. After repairs are made to her cybernetic body, she awakes with no memory of who she is or was.
Upon meeting Hugo, a friend of sorts to Ido, she’s introduced to the surrounding world. Though the film kicks off feeling like it’s going to be a slow origin story, the action is well placed and sets the film in motion throughout.
Visually, Alita is a jewel best viewed in 3D IMAX if you have the option available. The only drawback to the use of heavy CG comes during the Motorball event in which many of the characters look a tad cartoonish in a way but it doesn’t by any means take away from the overall feel of the movie. Coming in at two hrs the end actually feels like it came too early and will likely leave you wanting more.
So, hopefully, a sequel is in the future but for now, Alita is a very enjoyable adaptation that anime fans should appreciate and casual moviegoers could potentially love.
Movie Burner Entertainment 