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Alita: Battle Angel

VAL0R

Banned
I know nothing of the manga. I liked it!

Edit:
I especially liked that she was virtuous and innocent without compromise. 'I cannot stand idly by in the presence of evil,' etc. Anti-heros who are shades of moral grey are very common now, but I like a good old heroic hero that does good because she/he is good.
 
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I know nothing of the manga. I liked it!

Edit:
I especially liked that she was virtuous and innocent without compromise. 'I cannot stand idly by in the presence of evil,' etc. Anti-heros who are shades of moral grey are very common now, but I like a good old heroic hero that does good because she/he is good.

Well source material is old but I was very happy to see it stayed true to it and wasn't Americanized and infected with modern politics.
 
This movie was great. I hope it gets a sequel. Would be stupid if it didn't.
I want to see what happens. I really wanted to see the city. They shouldn't end a movie like this if the sequel is not guaranteed. I haven't read the manga.
Zalem is definitely interesting, but the world of Battle Angel also has a whole ton of stuff they haven't shown yet. This really is the first act in a much larger story and world.

I am still hopeful that they see the potential in a sequel, and I'm buying it on blu-ray on day one. But if that sequel never comes about, you should read the manga. It's pretty cheap digitally if you don't want physical copies (which are awesome by the way).
 

kingbean

Member
I really liked parts of it. Movie looked great and Alita herself was a fun character.

Hugo was shit through out the whole thing.

Some of the changes they made from the manga were fine, others weren't as seamless.
 

Durask

Member
I'd say the first anime/manga based movie that does not s**t on a source material.
Liked it a lot even though some dialogue was weird.
Salazar did a great job I think.

Even if they do not make a sequel, at least we got one good movie.
Then again, doesn't Disney now get the rights to all Fox movie properties so maybe it would be for the best.

Edit: actually I read up and supposedly Cameron owns the rights personally.
 
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It even has a bar fight. Felt like 1995.
That bar scene was my favorite in the entire movie. Alita was just LOVING how much that guy was talking about how bad ass they were. She reveled in the fighting and shit talk, and that was the moment I totally fell in love with her character.
 

Durask

Member
It really seems that anything that is not Marvel or DC is a very risky proposition.

For example a show like Edge of Tomorrow, Tom Cruise, very good reviews - mediocre grosses (well looks like it is getting a sequel mostly because Tom Cruise really wants it).
Ready Player One - did well but even mediocre Marvel based movie like Venom did much, much better.
Mad Max Fury Road - great reviews and IMHO awesome movie - mediocre grosses
 
It really seems that anything that is not Marvel or DC is a very risky proposition.

For example a show like Edge of Tomorrow, Tom Cruise, very good reviews - mediocre grosses (well looks like it is getting a sequel mostly because Tom Cruise really wants it).
Ready Player One - did well but even mediocre Marvel based movie like Venom did much, much better.
Mad Max Fury Road - great reviews and IMHO awesome movie - mediocre grosses
And that makes me sad.
 

highrider

Banned
It reminded me of Speed Racer, I didn't see that at the cinema due to the reviews but when I saw it at home I was gutted I never got to see it on the big screen. The plot falls flat in a couple of places, and the ending is also very much a setup for a sequel that will likely never happen.. But it was just a super fun 2 hour spectacle that benefited hugely from being seen on a massive screen.

It's also a really strong template for how Manga/Anime adaptations should be done, the usual 'Hollywood filter' isn't present and it's all the better for it, a lot of the scenes are taken straight from the Manga, and again, some of them don't work out; but a lot of them do and are fantastic.

Finally got out to see this and pretty much echo the sentiment here. Thought Alita had such appeal/charm as a a character, really liked and cared about her instantly. Supporting cast was really disappointing though.
 
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Cato

Banned
Just saw it. This was a great movie. I liked and fell in love with the characters almost instantly.
 

Durask

Member
Domestic is way too low though and that is what counts in Hollywood because here they get the most out of each dollar. Foreign not so much. :(

Yup, it would have to make Ready Player One numbers in order to be considered for a sequel (137 domestic and 445 international). No way.
At this point it simply moved out of the "flop" category. It is good that it is not a complete flop like was predicted and it will probably end up making money after blu ray sales and digital sales are factored in, but
In the end, as I said, at least we got an anime/manga based movie that mostly delivered for the fans of the original.

Would be kinda ironic that it stopped on the same point as anime which also never get a sequel.
 

sol_bad

Member
Movies are international these days. I honestly don't think domestic is that important, what's important is box office as a whole.
 

Javthusiast

Banned
Edge of Tomorrow:

Domestic $100,206,256
Foreign $270,335,000
Worldwide $370,541,256

Production Budget $178 million

Sequel announced.

Pacific Rim:

Domestic $101,802,906
Foreign $309,200,000
Worldwide $411,002,906

Production Budget $190 million

Got a sequel.


Alita Battle Angel:

Domestic $72,231,308
Foreign $278,221,855
Worldwide $350,453,163 ( still in theaters )

Production Budget $170 million

Sequel still can happen, but with Disney now owning Fox, who knows if they will ever greenlight it.
 
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Movies are international these days. I honestly don't think domestic is that important, what's important is box office as a whole.

Also gotta factor in the advertisement/promotional budget.

EDIT

But yes, it is not a flop, and I am very glad about that

Hopefully it made enough for the suits to greenlight a sequel

The way the sequel is set up, and if the actors stay,, with some good promotion, I think it could be a huge hit
 
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HoodWinked

Member
I thought it was alright I also watched the OVA and was surprised at how close they are. Aside from the motorball stuff which was absent from the OVA but was one of the best parts of the film.

Also one of the most devious things about this movie is how it's PG13 because the violence isn't technically to humans, decapitions everywhere, humanoid faces being crushed or sliced off. They even used the single alloted 'fuck' for a pg13 in a impactful way.

Then there is Hugo which nobody likes was poorly executed. But there's alot of blame to go around his character wasn't well acted and miscast, but his dialog was also pretty bad, the direction of his character didnt work.

At the end of the movie where hugo dies should kind of be this big payoff but you just sort of feel like oh I guess that just happened. But also when Hugo gets a bounty set on him I think they mucked too much with the plot cause it should simply be because hes a organ parts harvester but because he also gets framed for the murders the messaging is confusing and to the audience you think too much about him being framed this absolving him for his own actions. Hell you had more sympathy towards Hugo's friend since he showed his loyalty and friendship just before getting eviscerated in half.

The supporting cast for this film though is insane and shows Cameron's pull Christoph waltz, Marheashal ali, Jennifer Connolly,
Ed Norton, and Michelle Rodriguez
 
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Xisiqomelir

Member
Watched on Mombot's recco, wasn't let down!

Like Cameron, I too love the OVA, but unlike him I never finished the manga. Gonna hop on that now
 

black_13

Banned
I really loved the movie! Might even watch it again for the things I missed.

The eye thing was a great idea actually. Really set her character apart and while the love story was a little young adult fiction-y, it wasn't terrible.

Action scenes were the best parts and shot well. Whole time I just pictured it as an anime movie come to life.

Can't wait for a sequal.
 

0neAnd0nly

Member
Movie looks like it will sail well past projections and end with over 400m. Been tracking it pretty diligently at the box office.

Some places still negative about it, but again - delivered well above it’s initial projections.

If you are new to the thread / considering seeing it - do yourself a favor and do. It is fresh and visually awesome. You will have a great time, and the price of a ticket is much deserved from this movie!

Thanks again guys for turning my attention to the movie. Definitely delivered for me!
 

Kagero

Member
I re watched the anime again just before I went to see the movie. I think it helped a lot! It was a different experience of seeing how closely the live action movie stuck to it source. Every time there was a scene, I was awestruck that they had it in the movie. This happened throughout the entire duration and I was giddy from beginning to end. I'm glad China saved this movie. We might see an sequel yet.

EDIT: I will support this movie on Blu-Ray as well. I can't wait actually. I hope it contains a lot of extras.
 
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NewComer

Member
Okay, I saw the film this past weekend, here are my thoughts:
Stuff I liked
- Like what others mentioned on here have stated, the action scenes were easily the best part of the film. They were ripped straight from the wacky source material and it looked glorious! I loved it!
- The film looked beautiful and well choreographed. James Cameron's presence was definitely felt in the film. I enjoyed the look of the Iron City, though I wish it looked more grittier.
- Alita was a fun and endearing character. Her behavior was so naively unselfish and virtuous that I could not help but like / root for the character despite some corny, laughable dialogue.
- The acting was competent and fun. Ido definitely behaved like his manga counterpart for the most part and the villains definitely felt menacing / threatening.
- The world of the Iron City looked engaging and had some potential to be better.
- It was very faithful to the source material
Stuff I didn't like
- The plot ruined film. It moved way too quickly around the half way point of the movie and devolved into a real mess at the end.
- As others have already mentioned, I felt that some of the characters contributed mightily to the detriment of the story. Especially Shiram and Hugo. They were wasted in this film. They're motives felt too undeveloped and rushed for me to care about them. The villains should have been reduced to just Grewishka and Zapan as those actors did a good job of playing their role.
- The dialogue was....mediocre to average. Many of the lines felt flat in execution and the writing was very hamfisted for certain characters.
- I wish the directors had been more focused on the Iron City itself and its relationship to Zalem as well as how it functioned. I found this part a lot more interesting than the story presented.
As someone who has read just the first 3 volumes of the manga, I would rate this film 6.5 out of 10. It was decent. It probably should have been better without the rushed plot. The romance subplot was okay though I don't think it really helped the film much. I really hope movie earns enough to garner a sequal though. This world just has too much potential to be this woefully developed. This film has definitely inspired me to finish manga series!
 
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Durask

Member
Well, I did it. Pretty much first time in my life saw the same movie twice in a theater. First time with some friends and second time with family.
To quote Pulp Fiction, personality goes a long way.
 

pramod

Banned
It really seems that anything that is not Marvel or DC is a very risky proposition.

For example a show like Edge of Tomorrow, Tom Cruise, very good reviews - mediocre grosses (well looks like it is getting a sequel mostly because Tom Cruise really wants it).
Ready Player One - did well but even mediocre Marvel based movie like Venom did much, much better.
Mad Max Fury Road - great reviews and IMHO awesome movie - mediocre grosses

Marvel and DC movies combine classic decades-old legendary characters with the most expensive A list cast money can buy. It isnt rocket science I think. Anyone else can use the same formula.
 

Cato

Banned
I am willing to forgive the plot and pacing because I know this was never meant to be a standalone film. At the end I was ready for Part 2.

I am with you. Can't wait for part 2.

When the movie ended I was like, what is this bullshit? The movie ends now? Why didn't they just make the move 2 hours longer? Hell, they should have made it 6 hours longer.
 
i think ill catch this movie soon. i can say that im not a huge fan of robert rodriguez movies but someone here said if you didnt know he directed it you couldnt even tell. i dont want to say hes a bad director but his style isnt to my taste
 

sol_bad

Member
I really wish I could see this again in IMAX 3D.
:messenger_loudly_crying::messenger_loudly_crying::messenger_loudly_crying:

I want to be immersed in its world again and see those incredible again scenes again.
 

Link1110

Member
This movie was fantastic. Never read the manga though. I just hope that the sky city isn't just a cliche place where the rich line who look down on everyone else. The movie only showed one guy, so maybe it's more complex and interesting than that.
 

Durask

Member
This movie was fantastic. Never read the manga though. I just hope that the sky city isn't just a cliche place where the rich line who look down on everyone else. The movie only showed one guy, so maybe it's more complex and interesting than that.

Unless the sequel gets made and unless they totally change the story, definitely not.
 
This movie was fantastic. Never read the manga though. I just hope that the sky city isn't just a cliche place where the rich line who look down on everyone else. The movie only showed one guy, so maybe it's more complex and interesting than that.
Its definitely interesting in the manga. But there is also a lot on the surface as well that they haven't started touching on yet.
 
Congrats GAF on getting this thread to 5 pages. There are several passionate people in here I see. I think I will pick up the Manga now!
 

Link1110

Member
Its definitely interesting in the manga. But there is also a lot on the surface as well that they haven't started touching on yet.
So do you think they'll try doing a trilogy of there's so much left on the surface? And if they try do you think they can make 3 good movies out of it?
 
So do you think they'll try doing a trilogy of there's so much left on the surface? And if they try do you think they can make 3 good movies out of it?
The first series of graphic novels is I believe 9 volumes. That could be a trilogy easily. I believe that is likely what they planned. It could easily be 3 great movies. And the first movie would probably be the least interesting out of them, because half of the first movie is just setting up the world and her learning a little about herself. It gets much more interesting from here on out.

After that first 9 books, there is a whole 2nd series that is basically season 2, and takes place after the first 9. Season 2 is 19 graphic novels and takes the story in a very different direction. However, only in this second series do you get many answers to some of the biggest questions of this world. So maybe they'd squish some of this into the 3rd movie somehow.

Then, there is a 3rd series that is a prequel that is 6 volumes.

If they actually made all of it, it could be 6+ movies. They have said at most it's a trilogy, culminating with the original ending of the first 9 most likely.
 
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sol_bad

Member
I'd be happy if they made 10 movies in this universe and with this sort of budget.
:)

I'd assume if it got sequels they'd mix "season 1" and "season 2" together some how so some of the answers would come quicker.
 
I'd be happy if they made 10 movies in this universe and with this sort of budget.
:)

I'd assume if it got sequels they'd mix "season 1" and "season 2" together some how so some of the answers would come quicker.
Yeah, I really hope they do more!

My most immediate wish is that they somehow approve a director's cut blu-ray that is rated R with lots of the gore added back in, and a ton of special features showing WETA making the movie and designs. Probably wont happen, but damn, that would be amazing.
 
I think I'll go see this tomorrow or Friday while I'm off. It's been years since I saw a movie in the theater, but this looks worthy of it, and I'd like to have a competent western anime adaption get support.
 

sol_bad

Member
I think I'll go see this tomorrow or Friday while I'm off. It's been years since I saw a movie in the theater, but this looks worthy of it, and I'd like to have a competent western anime adaption get support.

ONE OF US, ONE OF US, ONE OF US, ONE OF US!!!!
 

#Phonepunk#

Banned
just saw this. it was great! really fantastic. cyberpunk as hell with shades of film noir and Blade Runner/sci fi. some really amazing moments in this. some really gory violence as well, tho they are cyborgs for the most part, so it is more sci fi than gorey. SPOILERS!

one of the best parts was when they kill the dog and she walks up and takes the blood and paints her face with it before destroying the bad guy. so good. also the part where she is fighting that guy with the tentacle razor arms, and they cut her into pieces. she is laying on the ground with only one arm left. but she lifts herself up on one arm, then, uses it to launch herself into the air, and with her one arm, punch through the face of the bad guy.

Alita was a cool character, with many sides to her. at first she is childlike, very curious, excited about the world. soon she slides into business mode, and is delivering one liners to giant robots before slicing them all into glowy neon halves with her hyper sword. the villains were really detestable, sort of emblematic of a dystopia where cyborg body parts are a hot commodity.

the lead actor was very good, and i really bought her emotional scenes, her relationship with her bf, as well as the hunter who brought her back to life, the old guy who goes around with a 5 foot sickle killing evil cyborgs. i thought the end of the movie was perfect. the stuff w Alita and her bf were quite moving, when she is hanging from her sword and he is barely holding on and his arm is slowly breaking. really this film gives it's hero a very sad, but bittersweet ending. the final sequence where she is getting ready and then heads out to the crowds was well earned sequel bait IMO. really well made film all around! im there for the next one.
 
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just saw this. it was great! really fantastic. cyberpunk as hell with shades of film noir and Blade Runner/sci fi. some really amazing moments in this. some really gory violence as well, tho they are cyborgs for the most part, so it is more sci fi than gorey. SPOILERS!

one of the best parts was when they kill the dog and she walks up and takes the blood and paints her face with it before destroying the bad guy. so good. also the part where she is fighting that guy with the tentacle razor arms, and they cut her into pieces. she is laying on the ground with only one arm left. but she lifts herself up on one arm, then, uses it to launch herself into the air, and with her one arm, punch through the face of the bad guy.

Alita was a cool character, with many sides to her. at first she is childlike, very curious, excited about the world. soon she slides into business mode, and is delivering one liners to giant robots before slicing them all into glowy neon halves with her hyper sword. the villains were really detestable, sort of emblematic of a dystopia where cyborg body parts are a hot commodity.

the lead actor was very good, and i really bought her emotional scenes, her relationship with her bf, as well as the hunter who brought her back to life, the old guy who goes around with a 5 foot sickle killing evil cyborgs. i thought the end of the movie was perfect. the stuff w Alita and her bf were quite moving, when she is hanging from her sword and he is barely holding on and his arm is slowly breaking. really this film gives it's hero a very sad, but bittersweet ending. the final sequence where she is getting ready and then heads out to the crowds was well earned sequel bait IMO. really well made film all around! im there for the next one.
how did you see it? Is it out yet?
 

mcz117chief

Member
The only problem I have with the movie is how she mercilessly kills Grewishka (who was kind of a victim in the manga but was made one dimensional in the movie) and Vector, especially Vector who actually redeemed himself in the Manga.
 
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