Nick Vitola

I went to see this film on a regular 2D screen, expecting some cool visuals and a likely pretty forgettable story. Boy was I wrong! I can’t really explain it, but this movie has stuck with me and I went back 2 days later to experience it in IMAX 3D. Do yourself a favor and see this film in IMAX 3D. It’s a whole different experience! Like I said, there’s not anything here that we haven’t necessarily seen before in terms of setting and plot, but the way the characters are presented and the way the set design immerses you into this world just seemed next level. The visual effects are incredible. Again, there are moments that may remind you of Rodriguez’s Spy Kids and Cameron’s Avatar of course, but every time something comes across a little clunky or cartoony, there would be another shot that convinced me that I was watching living, breathing actors. Somehow, the few video gamey moments that do exist actually work extremely well with the overall vibe of the movie, as it is after all, an adaptation of a manga/ anime series. Many critics have compared this movie to Ready Player One and Mortal Engines but for me, this movie was so much more memorable than either of those films by far. Alita herself, is an absolute badass, which is what makes the fight scenes so enjoyable. A credit to Rosa Salazar, there’s no doubt that she commands the screen, which is no small feat for a completely digital character. Is the movie perfect? Nope. The Hugo character is terribly acted and the ending is anticlimactic but there is so much here to love, it’s easy to overlook the movies flaws. Please, please see this movie and tell everyone you know to see this movie because we need a sequel! Long live Alita!