Another 2019 film that was recently re-released to theaters is the dystopian action film Alita: Battle Angel, which was produced (and co-written) by James Cameron. Its source is a Japanese graphic novel, and its lead character, Alita, a cyborg, is rendered through computer graphics, although actress Rosa Salazar provides the motion capture movements of the girl. Altogether it is a very interesting milieu, and enough of it is left unexplained to remain intriguing for future sequels.

Robert Rodriguez’s film follows the rebirth of Alita at the hands of cyberneticist Dr. Dyson Ido (Christoph Waltz), in a decimated world where everything important seems to originate in the remains of a floating city (the last one). It’s where Alita originated, before she was cast out like so much garbage. Her sudden, dynamic appearance triggers new interest and lots of danger for the doctor, who wants to shield her from the violence of the city. Soon she is competing in Motorball (a sport much like Rollerball of two previous films) and gaining both fans and enemies.

This kind of graphic novel world is not really my cup of tea but Cameron’s screenplay (co-authored with Laeta Kalogridis) is reminiscent of a host of science-fiction premises and trivialities from the 1970s forward, and as directed by Rodriguez, it’s tightly structured and action packed. I found myself more and more interested as it went on, especially regarding the relationship between scientists Dyson Ido and Chiren (Jennifer Connelly). And when the supporting cast includes Mahershala Ali and Jackie Earle Haley, well, it is interesting stuff. Even Jeff Fahey gets some screen time.

Movies like this provide a very industrial glimpse of how technology might be shaped in the future, which I think can be valuable. Note, though, that while violent sport takes center stage as far as action and character interest, it also seems like the main characters struggle to eat well. Isn’t that always the case; technology is pressed into service for entertainment more than for basic necessities. But at least this movie is entertaining — as expensive as it was to make, I hope they continue the story. ☆ ☆ ☆. 15 December 2020.