Alita: Battle Angel
Overview -
Alita: Battle Angel slices and dices her way onto Blu-ray in great form. Directed by Robert Rodriguez and produced and co-written by James Cameron, the film is a visual marvel. The story may be a bit simple at times, but it also proves to be a faithful adaptation of the seminal Manga that inspired the film. This Blu-ray rolls along with a terrific video transfer and an excellent DTS-HD MA 7.1 audio mix. On top of that, it's stuffed to the core with loads on interesting bonus features to pick through. If you're not rolling 3D or 4K-ready, this Blu-ray is a solid disc for vivid action-packed entertainment. Highly Recommended.
From visionary filmmakers James Cameron (AVATAR) and Robert Rodriguez (SIN CITY), comes ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL, an epic adventure of hope and empowerment. When Alita (Rosa Salazar) awakens with no memory of who she is in a future world she does not recognize, she is taken in by Ido (Christoph Waltz), a compassionate doctor who realizes that somewhere in this abandoned cyborg shell is the heart and soul of a young woman with an extraordinary past. As Alita learns to navigate her new life and the treacherous streets of Iron City, Ido tries to shield her from her mysterious history while her street-smart new friend Hugo (Keean Johnson) offers instead to help trigger her memories. But it is only when the deadly and corrupt forces that run the city come after Alita that she discovers a clue to her past – she has unique fighting abilities that those in power will stop at nothing to control. If she can stay out of their grasp, she could be the key to saving her friends, her family and the world she’s grown to love.
Storyline: Our Reviewer's Take
As a fan of the Manga growing up, I didn't have a lot of expectations going into Robert Rodriguez and James Cameron's adaptation of Alita: Battle Angel. Once the movie got started, however, it didn't take me long to be impressed with the effort! While the film relies a little too heavily on the source material for its own good - namely the ending - the film is a wild dizzying ride of cutting-edge special effects and action. I had a blast in theaters and I loved watching it again on home video with the volume turned up way too loud!
For my full thoughts on Alita: Battle Angel, check out the 4K Ultra HD / 3D Blu-ray Review.
Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray
Alita: Battle Angel kicks serious butt on 1080p Blu-ray in this two-disc Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD release from 20th Century Fox. Pressed on a Region A BD-50 disc, the discs are housed in a standard Blu-ray case with identical slipcover artwork. The disc loads to an animated main menu with traditional navigation options. The included Digital Copy unlocks some digital exclusive bonus features that are well worth picking through.
Video Review
Alita: Battle Angel comes alive with a terrific near-reference quality SDR 1080p transfer.
Seriously, if 4K UHD and 3D Blu-ray weren't a thing, I'd be overjoyed with this transfer! Details are terrific, allowing you to fully examine fine facial features, costuming, and the intricate visual effects design work. While it may not be as detailed and nuanced as the 4K UHD, it's still impressive all on its own. Colors are bright and bold with wonderfully vivid primaries. The steely blues of the Iron City at night and the daytime sun-baked yellows and oranges offer terrific contrasting color pallets to experience. Black levels are strong with some deep inky blacks, however, I did feel like several moments dipped into greys and had a little flatter texture. The other quibble I have with this transfer is that some of the digital effects just don't pop with the same lifelike quality as the 3D or 4K. In 2D they just take on a more weightless cartoonish quality at times. Most of the time everything looks great, the practical effects and the CGI blend seamlessly, but there are a few pop-out moments. Also, the floating city of Zalem just feels like it's there, there's no depth to it when people on the ground in Iron City lookup in the sky at it. Really these are only small gripes as so much of this image is practically flawless.
Audio Review
Featuring the exact same DTS-HD MA 7.1 mix as the 3D Blu-ray, Alita sounds great, overall. With clean dialogue, engaging surround activity, and punchy LFE, the 7.1 mix is powerful and enveloping, and should be enjoyed LOUD. However, when compared to the exceptional Dolby Atmos mix on the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, this 7.1 track lacks the impact and presence of the overhead immersion.
For a more in-depth take on this 7.1 mix, be sure to read the audio section of my 4K Ultra HD / 3D Blu-ray Review.
Special Features
While there is some EPK stuff in here, there are some genuinely interesting and informative bonus features on this disc as well as the included Digital Exclusives.
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Alita's World - The Fall (HD 5:05)
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Alita's World - Iron City (HD 3:19)
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Alita's World - What It Means to Be A Cyborg (HD 2:28)
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Alita's World - Rules of the Game (HD 2:52)
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From Manga to Screen (HD 20:47)
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Evolution of Alita (HD 19:43)
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Motorball (HD 6:02)
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London Screening Q&A (HD 26:38)
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10 Minute Cooking School - Chocolate (HD 5:28)
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2005 Art Compilation (HD 14:20)
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Scene Deconstruction (HD 10:47) You can control the stage of the animation with the red, green, or yellow buttons on your remote.
DIGITAL ONLY Bonus Content
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Allies and Adversaries (HD 25:20)
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Musical Themes (HD 5:37)
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Production Materials 2016 Reel (HD11:58)
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Streets of Iron City (HD 17:15)
Alita: Battle Angel takes home video by storm thanks to a rock-solid Blu-ray release from 26th Century Fox. The film is a faithful adaptation of the groundbreaking Manga series and thanks to some state-of-the-art visual effects brings an exciting world to life in amazing detail. While it doesn't enjoy the benefits of HDR or the impact of a 3D conversion, this standard 2D Blu-ray holds its own with fine details, bright colors, and a rocking DTS-HD MA 7.1 audio mix. On top of that, you've got hours of interesting bonus features to pick through!
Highly Recommended for folks who don't care about 4K or 3D.
