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Reviews
Alita: Battle Angel (2019)
Great effort for what is often a difficult task with graphic novel crossovers
I saw this first just over a year ago on TV and it inspired me to research the source novels. After obtaining the whole 19 volume series of the main story (including Last Order, but excluding the Mars prequels) I realised that the film makers had a difficult task compressing an epic series that would usually require a Game of Thrones style multi season serialisation to do justice to it into a single film (without reaching 1980's Dune style ultra film length levels).
They did a great job - yes it's truncated and rushed in areas and has the usual screenplay tweaks to names, characters and events, but to be fair they were trying to fit in 4 volumes in one go!
It ends, well pauses is more accurate, leaving more to come - some filmgoers like a definite conclusion, but with another 15 chapters left it was better to leave it that way rather than completely rewrite the story to give it a hard ending. Of course there is the financial 'sequel/spin off series' option there but I think that is happily coincidental to the makers and doing the story justice was key.
I've just re-watched it yesterday and 19 volumes of original novel later could clearly identify the story line links and where they had to truncate things - but this is no annoyance as with just one film they had no choice.
Characters remain largely true in appearance to their graphic novel equivalents which is always a bonus.
Why do I give this 10/10 considering it can't be perfect due to the limits of a single film? Because it introduced me to the source material and inspired me to track down a full set and immerse myself fully in the Alita universe and for that I'm eternally grateful!
Numberjacks (2006)
Loved bykids, less so adults - strange villains too
The good points are my daughter loves it and it does provide rudimentary lessons in maths and allied subjects.
It's not the most polished production, but appears to entertain well, although would seem a bit repetitive (just watch the hour long marathons on the programmes official YouTube channel!)
Younger viewers may be put off by some of the enemies in the show, the two that are the most unusual are the Number Taker, who dresses like an Albino Mad Hatter, but has the menace (albeit silent) of the Child Catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang; and the Puzzler, who is a CGI floating bald bearded head with glasses who sounds & looks like what you may imagine an internet groomer to look like and has a laugh that is a bang on impression of Sid James from the 'Carry On' films!
Honourable mentions to the Problem Blob, who spews 'Kids TV gameshow green goo' everywhere and to see has to regurgitate his eye on a stalk through his mouth; Spooky Spoon, who is a Margo Leadbetter style posh talking, well, spoon..; and the Shape Japer, which is an even more basic CGI cobe/sphere (alternating) with sharp teeth and evil eyes!
Escapee (2011)
Nothing special!
Warning - May Include Spoilers!
You have been warned!
This isn't the worst film ever & it successfully bucks the current trend of films of this genre of having to use nudity, profanity and extreme gore to get attention.
But it is a little too subtle, too slow and with numerous plot holes.
When it ended (& I guessed it was just about to end before it did) I did think "Is that it?" Even by Movie standards the film features the most inept law enforcement and insecure secure mental facility ever seen, which doesn't help the credibility of the film.
Tension builders were predictable, tailed off before creating much suspense & the twists could easily be guessed in advance.
The supposed serial killer character wasn't supported by the back-story, he was the more typical 'domestic' type killer - single known victim. The character portrayal by Dominic Purcell was wasted, he did a good job but the material let him down.
Plenty of pretty people in the film, but little opportunity for decent acting! If it's on special offer it might be worth a shot if you want a change from current 'in your face' horror/suspense, but I wouldn't pay full rate for this.