We’re in an era where visual effects and elaborate world-building are at the forefront of blockbuster movie productions. Alita: Battle Angel is the latest entry seeking to capitalize on this trend. Unfortunately, the splendor of its dazzling visual effects is undermined by the all too familiar companion of lazy writing and poor storytelling.

Alita begins in 26th century when a doctor repairs and revives a female cyborg he finds in a scrap yard. After taking her in, this girl who they name Alita begins to learn the extent of her strength and combat skill, carried over from her previous life. She spends the duration of the film fending off foes, trying to remember who she was, and falling in love.

It’s a narrative most audiences could recite the play by play for since there’s so little about this production that’s original or unique. And even worse than the film’s predictability is its incessant need to infuse a history lesson or convoluted summary about characters, places, and things into most scenes. The film is further crippled by lackluster performances from most of the live action cast.

What Alita does have going for it is its naive yet powerful heroine, who’s not given much intelligent dialogue, but speaks volumes through select badass moments she’s allowed to have. In the choice between gifting this character with an interesting and compelling story or making the sequences around her look pretty, it’s clear where the filmmakers preferred to spend their budget.

Acting and Casting - 1 | Visual Effects and Editing - 2 | Story and Message - 0 | Entertainment Value - 1 | Music Score and Soundtrack - 1 | Reviewer's Preference - 0 | What does this mean?