DETROIT (WWJ) - I walked out of "Alita: Battle Angel" simply in awe of what I had just seen. This movie utilizes a totally 3D Performance Capture Process that is simply amazing. A step above Motion Capture, Alita is a complete CG character; and the movie is a live blend of synthetic and live action. Following the press screening, a short video was shown, featuring producer Jon Landau explaining the technique. If you can find the video -- on YouTube or IMDb perhaps -- definitely take a few minutes to watch it.
Alita is a cyborg who is discovered by Ido, a cyberphysician who finds her core while looking for parts in a scrap yard. Ido lives in Iron City, which 300 years before the story begins, has been ravaged by a major war that has decimated the planet, and only a small percentage of human survivors remain. When Ido restores Alita, he sees in her his young daughter who was lost long ago. He has no idea who Alita really is or who she will eventually become.
When Alita gets another chance at life, she has amnesia and isn't aware of who she is or where she came from. While Ido tries to keep Alita innocent and oblivious to the treacherous world they live in, Hugo, Alita's handsome, street-smart new friend, offers to help her uncover her past. And, with so many dangers lurking just beneath the surface, Alita's fighting skills ultimately come to the forefront.
One of Alita's biggest adversaries is Vector, played by Mahershala Ali. Vector is Iron City's top broker of cyborg parts. One of the keys to his success is that he promises the city's residents that they can get to the city of Zalem, which looms above Iron City and looks so close, but is still virtually impossible to reach.
"Alita: Battle Angel" is a movie with no shortage of action and enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat for the entire two hours. It's a thrill ride from start to finish.
Rosa Salazar stars as Alita and Christoph Waltz stars as Ido. In addition to Mahershala Ali, they are joined by Jennifer Connelly, Ed Skrein, Jackie Earle Haley, and newcomer Keean Johnson as Hugo. Directed by Robert Rodriguez. Rated PG-13.
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Member:Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA)Detroit Film Critics Society (DFCS)African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA)SAG-AFTRA
