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Here’s a Hot Take that’s probably also going to be an Unpopular Opinion: While overcrowded, noisy & flawed in key ways, #AlitaBattleAngel is the first US live action anime/manga adaptation that feels like it deserved to be made.
I had fun & wanted to know what happened next.
I had fun & wanted to know what happened next.
I want to write a piece on why Hollywood live-action anime/manga have historically been awful failures and why #AlitaBattleAngel *kind of* succeeds (and points the way to how future adaptations could succeed better). @IndraniNY, interested?
Note: The eyes were a part of why #AlitaBattleAngel worked. I would never suggest doing it as a rule for anime/manga adaptations, but for THIS story, which ultimately is all about the uncanny valley (!), Rodriguez’s controversial decision paid off.
And that’s lesson one of how to make anime/manga adaptations work: Take some fucking risks.
Lesson two: cast talented unknowns who are the right fit for the character—rather than trying to jam (white) superstars into lead roles.
Lesson two: cast talented unknowns who are the right fit for the character—rather than trying to jam (white) superstars into lead roles.
Unfortunately, lesson three, which Rodriguez failed to follow, is the biggest: Don’t make $200 million adaptations, because it is very highly unlikely this thing will make that money back.
That probably means it’ll salt any earth that GITS didn’t already poison. Too bad.
That probably means it’ll salt any earth that GITS didn’t already poison. Too bad.
If you can make District 9 for $30 million, you could’ve made this for $60 million.
Though both are core to the Gunnm/Alita story, I’d have cut back hard on either the Motorball plot or the Hunter-Warrior plot. Pick one; put the other in the sequel (assuming you prove worthy).
Though both are core to the Gunnm/Alita story, I’d have cut back hard on either the Motorball plot or the Hunter-Warrior plot. Pick one; put the other in the sequel (assuming you prove worthy).
The Hunter-Warrior stuff is easier to understand. So make this a procedural, with Ido and Alita trying to solve the murders of women in Iron City against the backdrop of bounty hunter society. Think a darker, less comic Deadpool starring a cyborg Hit-Girl from Kick-Ass.
Most of what you get in the movie you can do without the Motorball plot. And if you focus on the hunting, you can make the big unveiling of who really Alita is your third act reveal and power-up.
This version would give Christoph Waltz more to do. And Jennifer Connolly—who’d probably be the big bad here.
Having the two face off against one another with Alita in the middle adds a layer of screwed up family dynamics to the film. Like a postapocalyptic War of the Roses.
Having the two face off against one another with Alita in the middle adds a layer of screwed up family dynamics to the film. Like a postapocalyptic War of the Roses.
Anyway, if there’s anyone out there who needs a consultant for future live action anime/manga adaptations, I’m right here ranting on Twitter. The rest of you, give #AlitaBattleAngel a look and let me know what you think.
