--Alita, Alita: Battle Angel
The science fiction universe of Alita: Battle Angel allows for an effective depiction of a transhumanist society, with the effects showcasing the exotic spectacle of cyborg combat. The best aspects of the film are the fairly brutal cyborg action sequences and the character of Alita. While some moments succumb to the allure of cheesy cliches, others utilize special effects choreography in a way that makes up for the lesser scenes. The conclusion of the movie is abrupt, but it does leave the door completely open for a direct sequel if the film is financially successful.
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Production Values
The CGI does not always look particularly real, but there is no character whose animation stoops to the level of Steppenwolf from Justice League. The story itself can be quite jumbled at times, and the abrupt ending teases a sequel, but many of the actors and actresses contribute fairly well. Rosa Salazar, who supplies the motion capture and voice acting for the titular Alita, is definitely utilized better than many of the other cast members, playing an enthusiastic but powerful cybernetic warrior who is trying to rediscover her existential identity. On several occasions, the character who acts as her love interest doesn't quite match her level of acting ability, but Rosa's enthusiasm is often able to save every scene the two share.
Christopher Waltz (Dr. Dyson Ido) and Jennifer Connelly (Chiren), playing the parents of the girl Alita's original body was made for, offer admirable supporting performances. Unfortunately, Connelly, who established her acting skills long before Alita: Battle Angel (Memento), doesn't get as much time onscreen as I would have hoped. Michelle Rodriguez and Edward Norton also make brief appearances, the latter having the role of a largely offscreen villain named Nova who has the ability to override the consciousnesses of other bodies and use them as conduits.
Story
Spoilers!
In the year 2563, a scientist named Dyson Ido finds the remnants of a cyborg, a woman whose brain is still functional. He gives her a new cybernetic body, serving as a doctor for cyborgs due to his familiarity with biology and machinery. The restored cyborg is named Alita, and she learns about Iron City with a high level of enthusiasm. She soon discovers that Dr. Ido is a Hunter-Warrior, a class of bounty hunters who are the closest things to protectors that Iron City has. A new friend named Hugo educates her about a game called Motorball that offers winners the chance to relocate to the sky city of Zalem.
The personal assassin of Nova, Nova being a resident of Zalem, is wounded by Alita, and he pursues and eventually dismembers her before being driven away. At this point, Alita becomes a target of Vector, someone who works under Nova and who periodically serves as a literal mouthpiece of Nova when the consciousness of the latter enters the body of the former. Vector's plan fails, and the death of a friend leaves Alita intent on using Motorball victories to reach Zalem and confront Nova.
Intellectual Content
As with many works of entertainment, Alita: Battle Angel incorporates some significant concepts into the story--in this case, subjects like personal identity in a transhumanist world--without delving too deeply into the rich philosophical nature of the topics. One plot point is particularly ripe for an analysis that is never actually given: the metaphysical process behind Nova's transfer of his consciousness into Vector's body. Perhaps potential sequels will describe what kind of spiritual and/or scientific activities make the superimposing of a consciousness over the consciousness of another being possible, but the phenomenon is never explained in the movie.
Conclusion
With the villain and a central plot point of a possible sequel foreshadowed in the final scene of the movie, Alita: Battle Angel does establish some competent worldbuilding, doing so despite a somewhat jumbled script. Sequel setups are at their best when delivered alongside a unified story, and Alita is not as focused as it could have been. Regardless, it is not a bad film, and it certainly has some well-executed aspects. Those who are most likely to enjoy the experience are people who appreciate (mostly) effective CGI, futuristic environments, and an emphasis on fictional technology. If someone watches the film hoping to find these things, they will probably not regret the experience.
Content:
1. Violence: Since many characters in the fights are cybernetic, the film is able to show the removal of limbs in ways that would otherwise probably be seen only in R movies. Many cyborgs are maimed or killed in brutal ways. The blue blood of some cyborgs is shown in the aftermath of physical blows, but the only "graphic" parts involve mechanical innards.
2. Profanity: Alita herself drops the one f-bomb alotted to the movie due to the restrictions of the PG-13 rating.
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