Alita: Battle Angel (Movie Review) | A Cyperpunk Spectacle, Shallow Core

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Alita: Battle Angel is a cyberpunk action film directed by Robert Rodriguez and produced by James Cameron and Jon Landau. The movie is based on the Japanese manga series Gunnm (also known as Battle Angel Alita) by Yukito Kishiro. It stars Rosa Salazar (Bird Box, The Scorch Trials, The Death Cure) in the title role, along with Christoph Waltz, Jennifer Connelly, Mahershala Ali, Ed Skrein, and Keean Johnson.

A female cyborg (Rosa Salazar) with large expressive eyes and mechanical arms strikes a defensive pose in the middle of a bustling, futuristic urban street. She wears a colorful striped shirt and looks intensely focused. Behind her, a young man (keean Johnson) is running toward her, and in the background, people browse market stalls and walk past in a densely built, cyberpunk-style city with exposed pipes and stacked structures.
A male cyborg with a fully mechanical body and a human face with an intense stare is standing in the middle of a bustling, futuristic urban street.

The story is set in a post-apocalyptic future where a scientist named Dr. Dyson Ido (played by Waltz) discovers a discarded cyborg core in a scrapyard. He rebuilds her and names her Alita. With no memory of her past, Alita embarks on a journey to discover her identity and purpose in the dangerous and divided world of Iron City. Along the way, she becomes involved in the sport of Motorball, uncovers dark secrets, and confronts powerful enemies.

A promotional still from Alita: Battle Angel featuring Christoph Waltz wearing a cowboy hat, glasses, and a leather jacket in a mechanic lab, looking at a sharp knife

The movie offers a visually stunning world filled with impressive action sequences and a talented cast, but I didn’t connect with the material. It didn’t give me the feels. While the film has moments that tug at the heartstrings, they often come off as forced, failing to evoke a genuine emotional connection.

The acting is commendable, with each member of the cast delivering solid performances. Additionally, the visual effects are nothing short of breathtaking for the time, immersing viewers in a richly detailed futuristic landscape.

A rugged cyborg man wearing a cowboy hat and a shearling-lined jacket sits confidently in a dimly lit bar, flanked by intimidating robotic dogs. His arms and parts of his body are mechanical, and his expression is stern. Around him, patrons sit and chat in the background, with a dark, industrial sci-fi aesthetic throughout the scene.
A young man (keean Johnson) is in a bar standing next to a female cyborg (Rosa Salazar) with large expressive eyes and mechanical arms leaning on the bar behind her. She wears a black leather jacket on top of a blue top and looks relaxed. Behind them, and in the background, shelves of bottles and draft beer dispensers

However, the rushed pacing, particularly the unnecessary romantic subplot, hinders the film’s ability to fully engage its audience. With a central focus on Alita’s journey of self-discovery, the addition of a love interest feels superfluous and detracts from the narrative depth. It begs the question: why does a character grappling with amnesia, flashbacks, and dark secrets need a romantic distraction?

Alita: Battle Angel often feels like an extended trailer, teasing intriguing plot points and themes that are left underdeveloped or unexplored. The film flirts with darker, more violent themes, yet ultimately opts for a more family-friendly approach, which feels somewhat off with the inherent grittiness of its world.

A still image from Alita: Battle Angel featuring a stylishly dressed man in black (Mahershala ALi), wearing sunglasses and gloves, holds a drink while standing in a sleek, modern interior. In the background, a woman (Jennifer Connelly) in a white and black outfit stands with a composed expression, holding a small object. The room features dark leather chairs, minimalist shelving, and a polished, futuristic design.

Despite these flaws, the film remains an entertaining watch that left me wanting more. There’s a wealth of untapped potential within this universe, and I can’t help but hope for further exploration in potential sequels or spin-offs.

Alita: Battle Angel offers a captivating glimpse into a visually arresting world, but falls short in delivering a cohesive and emotionally resonant narrative. It’s a film that entertains but leaves viewers yearning for a deeper exploration of its themes and characters.

Rating: 7 out of 10.

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