The remarkable James Cameron film Alita: Battle Angel is now officially out on home video and digital release, loaded with action, adventure and plenty of special features.
James Cameron is the mastermind behind some of the most successful and notorious blockbuster films, with his most recent film Alita: Battle Angel being strikingly different than his prior projects. The film is based on Japanese manga Battle Angel Alita by Yukito Kishiro, a sci-fi cyberpunk blend of action and adventure in every aspect.
The film had been in development for several years, often losing steam until eventually being adapted in full cinematic glory. The film stars the very talented Rosa Salazar (Scorch Trials) as an android-like being that relies on masterful visual effects and motion capture to showcase the brilliant performance by Salazar. Alita: Battle Angel tries to establish the world in this first chapter, holding off on getting to deep into the mythology just yet, but feels like a wonderful standalone story despite being created with the idea of a future film franchise.
The film has (but isn’t entirely focused on) action which when utilized is a rather beautiful portrayal of the intricacies of fight sequences. Though a nice feature, the action comes second to the struggle for Alita to establish a sense of belonging. Even side stories introduced about connection and or romance are thankfully cast aside when it comes to Alita’s journey of self discovery that is the most attainable emotion the film can evoke. The writing for the character of Alita fused with the range Salazar achieves makes Alita not only a protagonist worth rooting for, but a character who truly deserves a shot at an expansive universe and or film franchise.
The special effects of Alita: battle Angel are something of epic proportions, building this dark, gritty yet futuristic world in contrast to the advances of technology that make it feel like another world entirely. On Blu-ray, this film thrives even more so because of the tangible textures that the film provides. Each frame feels so thought out and with remarkable cinematography, Alita: Battle Angel is proof that Cameron does have the unique ability to at the very least create something that is entirely beyond original. The technology driven world in Alita still succeeds in drawing a slight parallel to how far we have come with visual effects, proving that in a matter of years the developments at out disposal continues to evolve beyond our wildest imagination.
The special features of Alita: Battle Angel help pushing the film into greater depths, offering a history on the war that caused the world to spiral into what it became. Another interesting bonus comes from a tour of the Iron City that we are introduced to, helping create an even more detailed perception Alita’s world. We also discovered that there is a Q&A panel style session that involves Cameron, Salazar and more to discuss the process of the film and personal feelings on Alita: Battle Angel. For those of you wondering more about the early stages and what made it possible to begin with, there is a behind the scenes look at the film including the motion capture process to show off the mind-blowing creations of Alita. Even fans of the source material have something to enjoy, with Alita receiving a feature that breaks down going from a manga to a live-action film, something that is already difficult to pull off. Finally, the bonus content adds a fun touch to the release with a look at Motorball which is heavily focused on in the film and the rules that went into the competitive sport.
Essentially, Alita: Battle Angel is a triumph thanks to Cameron and Salazar who together tell a story of a character not as well known by western audiences, making this one of his best and most intricate stories we’ve seen by the filmmaker. If we’ve learned anything from this cinematic gem, it’s that we need and deserve a franchise for more Alita magic.
The home release (4K, Blu-ray, 3D, DVD and Digital) is legitimately the perfect way to discover Alita: Battle Angel, and with several hours of bonus content, this is a must-have item for fans of the film or anyone looking for a visual masterpiece.
Alita: Battle Angel is available now, so make sure to pick it up courtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment! What are your thoughts on Alita? Let us know in the comments below!
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