{"id":1227,"date":"2019-08-15T19:57:42","date_gmt":"2019-08-15T17:57:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-alita-battle-angel-uhd\/"},"modified":"2025-06-16T19:18:53","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T17:18:53","slug":"review-alita-battle-angel-uhd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-alita-battle-angel-uhd\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Alita: Battle Angel (UHD)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the near future, Dr. Ido (Christoph Waltz)<\/strong> discovers a deactivated cyborg<\/a>. He brings her to his laboratory and repairs her, naming her Alita (Rosa Salazar)<\/strong>. Alita awakens with no memory, facing an initially disorienting situation. However, fragments of her past begin to surface, and she gradually recalls her identity, origins, and her purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

James Cameron<\/strong> is a highly regarded director known for pushing the boundaries of filmmaking and striving for new artistic heights. The twelve-year gap between Titanic<\/strong> and Avatar<\/a><\/strong>, and the subsequent twelve-year wait for the Avatar<\/em> sequel, demonstrate his commitment to quality over rushed production. Alita: Battle Angel<\/strong>, a project Cameron had considered long before Avatar<\/em>, seemed perpetually delayed. Ultimately, Robert Rodriguez<\/strong> approached Cameron, inquiring about the project’s status, which led to Rodriguez directing Alita: Battle Angel<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

A significant issue lies in the contrast between Cameron’s and Rodriguez’s directorial strengths. While Cameron excels at crafting emotionally resonant character interactions, Rodriguez’s characters lack depth, preventing the film from achieving a strong emotional impact. While emotional depth might seem unnecessary in an action film, consider the iconic scene in Terminator 2<\/strong> where the boy weeps as the Terminator is lowered into molten steel. That emotional connection elevates the film beyond simple action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Where Robert Rodriguez<\/em>‘s actor direction falls short, his visual direction excels. The film’s visuals are truly impressive. The industry has long discussed the prospect of indistinguishable digital characters, and Alita: Battle Angel<\/em>, along with Avengers: Endgame<\/strong><\/a> (released in 2019), suggest that photorealistic digital characters are imminent. The level of detail in Alita’s face and body is remarkable; subtle imperfections enhance the realism, and her movements and expressions are exceptionally lifelike. The scene where she consumes chocolate, for instance, is particularly well-executed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

The action sequences in Alita: Battle Angel<\/em> are dynamic and visually appealing. The combatants possess a palpable sense of physical weight, and the integration of CGI is seamless. However, the third act feels somewhat compressed, serving primarily as a prelude to a potential sequel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This film is ideally suited for viewing in 4K resolution. Alongside Mortal Engines<\/a><\/strong>, it boasts a near three-dimensional visual quality, with details that stand out prominently against the background. The picture quality is flawless, and the HDR10+ enhancement, wisely implemented by Fox, renders the dark alley scenes with exceptional edge sharpness. This title effectively showcases the benefits of 4K resolution and HDR. The Dolby Atmos<\/strong> sound design is also noteworthy, with the motorball<\/em> sequence representing a highlight of the immersive audio mix. The subtle audio details contribute significantly to the overall viewing experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

The supplemental materials are unusually informative, likely due to Robert Rodriguez’s genuine enthusiasm for filmmaking. His ongoing 10-minute cooking school<\/em> segments remain entertaining, with this edition featuring a chocolate-themed lesson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In conclusion, Alita: Battle Angel<\/em> is a visually stunning and action-packed film that, while lacking some emotional resonance, is highly recommended in its 4K UHD edition with Dolby Atmos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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