In the near future, Dr. Ido (Christoph Waltz) discovers a deactivated cyborg. He brings her to his laboratory and repairs her, naming her Alita (Rosa Salazar). Alita awakens with no memory, facing an initially disorienting situation. However, fragments of her past begin to surface, and she gradually recalls her identity, origins, and her purpose.
James Cameron is a highly regarded director known for pushing the boundaries of filmmaking and striving for new artistic heights. The twelve-year gap between Titanic and Avatar, and the subsequent twelve-year wait for the Avatar sequel, demonstrate his commitment to quality over rushed production. Alita: Battle Angel, a project Cameron had considered long before Avatar, seemed perpetually delayed. Ultimately, Robert Rodriguez approached Cameron, inquiring about the project’s status, which led to Rodriguez directing Alita: Battle Angel.
A significant issue lies in the contrast between Cameron’s and Rodriguez’s directorial strengths. While Cameron excels at crafting emotionally resonant character interactions, Rodriguez’s characters lack depth, preventing the film from achieving a strong emotional impact. While emotional depth might seem unnecessary in an action film, consider the iconic scene in Terminator 2 where the boy weeps as the Terminator is lowered into molten steel. That emotional connection elevates the film beyond simple action.
Where Robert Rodriguez‘s actor direction falls short, his visual direction excels. The film’s visuals are truly impressive. The industry has long discussed the prospect of indistinguishable digital characters, and Alita: Battle Angel, along with Avengers: Endgame (released in 2019), suggest that photorealistic digital characters are imminent. The level of detail in Alita’s face and body is remarkable; subtle imperfections enhance the realism, and her movements and expressions are exceptionally lifelike. The scene where she consumes chocolate, for instance, is particularly well-executed.
The action sequences in Alita: Battle Angel are dynamic and visually appealing. The combatants possess a palpable sense of physical weight, and the integration of CGI is seamless. However, the third act feels somewhat compressed, serving primarily as a prelude to a potential sequel.
This film is ideally suited for viewing in 4K resolution. Alongside Mortal Engines, it boasts a near three-dimensional visual quality, with details that stand out prominently against the background. The picture quality is flawless, and the HDR10+ enhancement, wisely implemented by Fox, renders the dark alley scenes with exceptional edge sharpness. This title effectively showcases the benefits of 4K resolution and HDR. The Dolby Atmos sound design is also noteworthy, with the motorball sequence representing a highlight of the immersive audio mix. The subtle audio details contribute significantly to the overall viewing experience.
The supplemental materials are unusually informative, likely due to Robert Rodriguez’s genuine enthusiasm for filmmaking. His ongoing 10-minute cooking school segments remain entertaining, with this edition featuring a chocolate-themed lesson.
In conclusion, Alita: Battle Angel is a visually stunning and action-packed film that, while lacking some emotional resonance, is highly recommended in its 4K UHD edition with Dolby Atmos.
