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Robert Rodriguez and James Cameron's Alita: Battle Angel

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dRoy Professional Writer & Amateur Scholar from Most likely from my study Since: May, 2010 Relationship Status: I'm just high on the world
Professional Writer & Amateur Scholar
#51: Dec 14th 2017 at 5:29:24 AM

I keep hearing this argument that she's supposed to have weird, large eyes because the way it was in the manga.

And the point is...what, exactly? Why should something from the source material must be kept in the adaptation if it doesn't translate well into the different media format, especially if it causes uncomfortable reactions to the intended audiences?

Well, I suppose that CAN be an intended reaction. Here's hoping that the creators are willing to risk this artistic choice driving audiences away.

I'm a (socialist) professional writer serializing a WWII alternate history webnovel.
googlebot Herald of Endless Research. from The misty Albion Since: Nov, 2011 Relationship Status: I'm just high on the world
Herald of Endless Research.
#52: Dec 14th 2017 at 11:18:26 AM

[up]I think, the point is that it isn't (just) anime pandering for the sake of it.

edited 14th Dec '17 11:18:54 AM by googlebot

“You can’t be an important and life-changing presence for some people without also being a joke and embarrassment to others.” -Mark Manson.
Tuckerscreator (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Drift compatible
#53: Dec 14th 2017 at 12:05:53 PM

To be honest, I’ve yet to see anyone link something showing that in the manga her eyes are disproportionately large compared to others in-universe.

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Zeromaeus Mighty No. 51345 from Neo Arcadia Since: May, 2010
Mighty No. 51345
#54: Dec 14th 2017 at 6:08:33 PM

Generally, its just something people say in the manga. Most people have inhuman proportions or heavily stylized features to make them stand out artistically. Honestly, I don't think it was a bad idea. Even if you don't like the way it looks, its very memorable.

My biggest concern is that the trailer has Alita fighting Makaku in the underground in her first body. I hope that's a deception on the trailer's part, because she's supposed to have her berserker body by then. I hope they aren't combining the two fights.

edited 14th Dec '17 6:17:33 PM by Zeromaeus

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TheGunheart Some nights I rule the world... from on the street. Since: Jan, 2001
Some nights I rule the world...
#55: Dec 14th 2017 at 6:15:09 PM

Does anyone have a scan of the page or anything where that's pointed out? I read the original nine-volume one, and some of Last Order, and the only facial feature I remember ever getting a mention was her lips.

"If you're out here why do I miss you so much?"
Zeromaeus Mighty No. 51345 from Neo Arcadia Since: May, 2010
Mighty No. 51345
#56: Dec 14th 2017 at 6:25:59 PM

I'm scanning through my volume and can't find it. Either way, its not inaccurate. She's one of very few people to have traditional anime eyes. The lips thing is actually about the expression that's usually on her face. That pursed look.

edited 14th Dec '17 6:31:55 PM by Zeromaeus

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MadSkillz Destroyer of Worlds Since: Mar, 2013 Relationship Status: I only want you gone
Destroyer of Worlds
#57: Dec 15th 2017 at 1:12:33 AM

"It was always Jim [Cameron's] intention to create a photo-realistic version of the manga eyes that we're so accustomed to seeing. We really wanted to honor that tradition and see that look standing next to any human character. To have the right person to emote behind it was really essential. Her origins are in the film and you understand why she looks that way. If the eyes are the windows to the soul, we have some pretty big windows. You can see a lot going on in there! When it gets to the emotional scenes it's really uncanny and striking. And captivating!"

edited 15th Dec '17 1:12:47 AM by MadSkillz

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Journeyman Overlording the Underworld from On a throne in a vault overlooking the Wasteland Since: Nov, 2010
Overlording the Underworld
#58: Jan 3rd 2018 at 3:06:23 PM

Well there we go. Whether it was in the source or not, she's intentionally got really big eyes in this. And I, for one, actually loved it. I wasn't on board with this movie til seeing the trailer (mainly because I hadn't actually read this thread or anything related to the movie yet) but it's on my "see in theaters" list.

Zeromaeus Mighty No. 51345 from Neo Arcadia Since: May, 2010
Mighty No. 51345
#59: Jan 3rd 2018 at 8:15:43 PM

If they do the manga any justice, it'll be worth seeing. Given that, most of the scenes from the trailer have a strong analogue in the manga.

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TairaMai rollin' on dubs from El Paso Tx Since: Jul, 2011 Relationship Status: Mu
rollin' on dubs
#60: Jan 3rd 2018 at 9:53:51 PM

A Love It or Hate It critic, Movie Bob does have a good point about adaptations and why they fail vis-à-vis Fox Studios' misfire with the "Dark Phoenix".

They saw the birdie on fire. Not the character moments, not the arc, not the events leading up to it. So they had two actresses try their best with bad material. The studio wanted birdie flambe and they got it. We got movies that sucked.

A lesser studio would have focused on the action. Both Rodriguez and Cameron are known for sweating the details.

Go across youtube, blogs or the anime fandom : Battle Angel the anime is ripe with lots of background material and a universe that could spawn movies of their own.

If they got the trailer right, the movie should be about Alita's arc and not about the big eyed girl and the SFX shots.

I have high hopes for this movie.

All night at the computer, cuz people ain't that great. I keep to myself so I won't be a case on The First 48
Beatman1 Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Gone fishin'
#61: Jan 4th 2018 at 6:51:23 AM

[up]Moviebob fails at even the most basic analysis of film. How can he criticize a movie that’s not even out yet? Or is he talking about X3, which (unsuccessfully) tried a more Pragmatic Adaptation? Because not making Phoenix an alien entity was the point.

thatindiantroper Since: Feb, 2015
#62: Jan 4th 2018 at 7:11:04 AM

Moviebob fails the most basic everything.

windleopard from Nigeria Since: Nov, 2014 Relationship Status: Non-Canon
#63: Jul 23rd 2018 at 9:01:35 AM

New trailer. I think the eyes look a bit better here.

https://youtu.be/w7pYhpJaJW8

Beatman1 Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Gone fishin'
#64: Jul 23rd 2018 at 9:19:48 AM

[up]Yeah, they definitely changed them up for the better. They’re still bigger than normal but not “I cannot focus on anything else.” The delay seems to have helped.

Lot of CG in the trailer.

Edited by Beatman1 on Jul 23rd 2018 at 12:19:52 PM

Lyendith I'm not insane, I'm not… not insane! from Bègles, France Since: Mar, 2011 Relationship Status: Buried in snow, waiting for spring
I'm not insane, I'm not… not insane!
#65: Jul 23rd 2018 at 1:57:04 PM

I can't really pinpoint what part looks better though… the reflection maybe?

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Zeromaeus Mighty No. 51345 from Neo Arcadia Since: May, 2010
Mighty No. 51345
#66: Jul 24th 2018 at 8:27:48 AM

I feel better now that they've shown the berserker body.

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dRoy Professional Writer & Amateur Scholar from Most likely from my study Since: May, 2010 Relationship Status: I'm just high on the world
Professional Writer & Amateur Scholar
#67: Aug 11th 2018 at 9:06:54 AM

Watched the new trailer.

The eyes are so much better now.

I'm a (socialist) professional writer serializing a WWII alternate history webnovel.
Blueace Surrounded by weirdoes from The End Of the World Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Surrounded by weirdoes
#68: Oct 4th 2018 at 6:43:14 AM

New trailer.

Wake me up at your own risk.
gropcbf from France Since: Sep, 2017
#69: Oct 5th 2018 at 2:12:29 AM

I am quite hyped about this project (although I suspect I will be disappointed).

For months I have wondered how it would be titled in France, where the manga is known as Gunnm and the character as Gally/Yoko. I shouldn't be surprised, but they are apparently keeping with the American dub name change.

(Of course it would be disturbing if the show said Alita while the subs spelled it as Gally).

Lyendith I'm not insane, I'm not… not insane! from Bègles, France Since: Mar, 2011 Relationship Status: Buried in snow, waiting for spring
I'm not insane, I'm not… not insane!
#71: Feb 1st 2019 at 11:32:05 AM

The first French reviews are good… Interestingly, they all point out that despite Cameron not directing the film, it still feels like a Cameron film through and through.

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Beatman1 Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Gone fishin'
#72: Feb 1st 2019 at 12:03:18 PM

IGN gave it an 8/10, and other reviews are trending positive but with some flaws.

slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: Aug, 2015
The Head of the Hydra
#73: Feb 1st 2019 at 12:07:21 PM

Holy fuck its actually positivly received for the most part?

That's genuinly amazing. surprised

[up][up] What does that mean?

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
Beatman1 Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Gone fishin'
#74: Feb 1st 2019 at 1:01:33 PM

[up]Yeah, it’s not. RT score was updated with a 44% Critical review.

It’s a dud.

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/alita_battle_angel

Edited by Beatman1 on Feb 1st 2019 at 4:02:36 AM

Lyendith I'm not insane, I'm not… not insane! from Bègles, France Since: Mar, 2011 Relationship Status: Buried in snow, waiting for spring
I'm not insane, I'm not… not insane!
#75: Feb 1st 2019 at 1:14:43 PM

With an average score of 5.7/10 though.

[up][up] Not sure… I guess it's about the visual style?

Edited by Lyendith on Feb 1st 2019 at 10:15:13 AM

Flippé de participer à ce grand souper, je veux juste m'occuper de taper mon propre tempo.

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