Movie Review: Alita: Battle Angel

There are ideas taken from source materials like a book or animated feature that rarely make a successful transition to the big screen, let alone a live action adaptation of a popular Japanese Manga/ Anime property that is unique and had concepts that, at that period, were literally are ahead of its time. Yukito Kishiro's "Gunnm" or better known as "Battle Angel Alita" is one good example - a 1990 manga turned two-part OVA in 1993 that explored the themes of cyberpunk and a post-apocalyptic future where a great war has divided classes and humans and cyborgs co-exist together.

Long developed and produced by veteran Hollywood director James Cameron who wanted to adapt the manga, "Alita: Battle Angel" finally gets its time to shine - with Cameron attached as producer alongside Jon Landau and Robert Rodriguez now at the helm as director. After seeing several delays and improvements made to the visuals and CGI effects, the film has finally arrived in theaters - and what a festive treat this film is to anyone looking for some impressive effects and world-building storytelling. This movie could arguably be considered the first big step in Hollywood's attempt to properly adapt Japanese Manga/ Anime properties, and that is saying a lot considering so many others tried and loosely did those concepts right in the past.

Thanks to 20th Century Fox Philippines, I got to see Alita: Battle Angel last week at a special advance screening on IMAX 3D - and I literally walked in blind and unsure of what to expect from the film. I can safely say this movie is a luscious visual spectacle - with actress Rosa Salazar putting everything in her being to bring the lovable cyborg heroine Alita to life and just making her one of the most endearing characters to remember in cinema.

ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL | Trailer 3
Without giving away much of the plot, Alita: Battle Angel sees Alita begin her journey as a disembodied core that is found in the scrapyard by cyberologist Dr. Dyson Ido (played by Christoph Waltz). Reassembled and with no memories of her past, this young cyborg slowly starts to remember fragments of her former identity while building new relationships as viewers discover a dystopian planet Earth that is divided between the rich and the poor - with the privileged living in a utopian land above the clouds called "Zalem". As cyborgs, bounty hunters, and a sport called "Motorball" quickly work into her new life, Alita eventually become the driving force for a change that will affect everyone in this brave new post-apocalyptic world.

Here's my quick impressions of the film from the premiere via IG:

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Ended January the best way by getting to see @alitamovie c/o @20thcenturyfoxph last night! Here’s my short video reaction after seeing the beautiful cyberpunk live action flick on IMAX 3D last night! Catch my full review soon and see this when it opens in theaters in the Philippines starting February 6! #Alita #AlitaBattleAngel #BattleAngelAlita #Gunnm #RosaSalazar #RobertRodriguez #JamesCameron #20thCenturyFoxPH #Timzster #TimzsterMovies #February2019

A post shared by Tim V. (@timzster) on Jan 31, 2019 at 6:51pm PST

With a powerful supporting cast that includes the aforementioned Christoph Waltz, Jennifer Connelly, and even Edward Norton, Alita: Battle Angel is just the shot of Cyberpunk action and anime style Hollywood flavor moviegoers need. It personally feels like a Final Fantasy concept brought to life with Robocop aesthetics inserted, and that's never ever a bad thing. While the movie considerably takes its time building itself up and there are themes and tropes that have been seen time and again in the past, this is a film that will not disappoint in presenting something visually stimulating.

Alita: Battle Angel is now showing in cinemas courtesy of 20th Century Fox Philippines!

Rating - 4/5

Movie Review: Bumblebee

Howdy all and Happy 2019! It's a new year and a fresh set of things to look forward to, and along with that mindset comes new movies, games, and just about anything in the world of popular culture I can write about. As this is the first post of this personal opinion/ reviews blog, I want to start things off with a review of the first film I thoroughly enjoyed seeing in theaters - the Transformers movie spin-off/ prequel "Bumblebee".

As many of you already know or have experienced, the Michael Bay directed Transformers movies are somewhat of a divisive topic among the fanbase - especially to older fans who grew up with the original 1987 animated series created by Takara and Hasbro. I especially am an old school "Generation 1" fan, so with the exception of the first film released in 2007 - I wasn't so happy with the turnout of the "Bayformers" line of movies - and "Transformers: The Last Knight" in 2017 pretty much killed all hopes of the franchise salvaging itself from too much explosions and an incomprehensible plot.

Bumblebee | Official Trailer
Fortunately for fans, that all changes with "Bumblebee" - what is being called "The BEST Transformers live-action movie" ever made. That claim doesn't come easily, and it took a viewing to really cement my own opinion on whether or not that was the truth. I can safely say IT IS, and thanks to an impressive story, cast that includes singer Hailee Steinfeld and pro-wrestler John Cena, and director Travis Knight - it is literally a Bayformers film that sets a new course for the film universe and pays homage to its roots in the original Transformers show by setting itself in the era it began - where cassette tapes were the in thing and all the stuff that powered the 80's was alive and rolling!

Set in the year 1987, Bumblebee is a prequel that focuses on the titular Transformer as he is sent to Earth by his leader Optimus Prime in an effort to establish a rendezvous point the Heroic Autobots can regroup in following the major loses incurred in Cybertron caused by their mortal enemies, the Decepticons. Landing on the planet successfully, the young Autobot is quickly put at a disadvantage when the first humans he meets misunderstand him and Decepticon forces who followed him injure him gravely. Forced to disguise himself, a chance meeting with a young headstrong girl named Charlie will lead to an adventure that will change their lives and how the tide of war between two factions will be decided on our planet.

Thanks to UIP Philippines, I got to see the film and it was so full of nostalgia and awesomeness that it simply cannot be described in detail. The pacing of Bumblebee was A LOT BETTER than any of the previous Transformer sequels I have seen. Focusing on just the titular Autobot makes it so much simpler, and Hailee Steinfeld is by far the most likeable and relatable protagonist the live-action movies have got - bonding well with the Volkswagon changing Autobot with her role as Charlie Watson. John Cena on the otherhand plays the relentless Jack Burns - who chases Bumblebee through this movie with a group of soldiers. Director Travis Knight plays these elements well, and it is fortunate we get such a stellar soundtrack to backup this throwback to the 80's too. Good stuff and the CGI elements look GREAT in the big screen - especially on IMAX!

Bumblebee is now playing in theaters c/o UIP Philippines.

Rating - 5/5

Aquaman: Movie Review and Press Conference Recap

Christmas season is finally here, and along with it a rollout of what came this 2018 and what were among the best and brightest things many of us had the privilege of experiencing this year. Chief among these is Warner Bros. Philippines bringing one of the most anticipated films to our shores just before the year closes in AQUAMAN - the long awaited DC Films movie starring Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, and an all-star cast of talents that have banded together under the direction of "Saw", "Insidious", and "The Conjuring" franchise director James Wan (who directs his very first superhero film as well).

Just swimming towards its third week in theaters after opening quite early and ahead of US territories, Aquaman has performed EXCEPTIONALLY WELL in Philippine cinemas - grossing over P230.4 Million in its opening weekend AND surpassing 2015's "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" as a result. Worldwide, it has grossed $383 Million, and is undeniably one of the BEST DC Films to be made by Warner Bros. alongside Wonder Woman. The success of course is due to the charismatic performance of Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry/ Aquaman - who first debuted as the character in a slight cameo in 2016's "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" and then joining his fellow heroes to battle a common threat in last year's "Justice League". Momoa's characterization of Aquaman - a hero born to an Atlantian queen and human father, is simply embodied in the word "AWESOME". He's the kind of hero who never backs down from a fight and while seemingly an outcast is determined to do the right thing when it matters and emerges as both hero and king by the film's conclusion. Not since Robert Downey Jr.'s take as Tony Stark/ Iron Man have we seen a vastly different take on a familiar comic book icon, and Momoa can lay claim to the fact that HE IS AQUAMAN because of his performance in this movie.

While Momoa headlines the show as The King of the Seven Seas, his supporting cast is also the reason why this live-action superhero film shines. Amber Heard stands by Arthur Curry's side as Mera - a fellow Atlantian and princess who helps Aquaman realize his destiny and guides him to become the hero he is meant to be. Nicole Kidman and Temuera Morrison also star as Arthur's parents Atlanna and Thomas Curry - two people from two different worlds who were never meant to meet and fall in love, but they did and produced a child who would become a representation of what is good in life in both land and sea. Willem Dafoe plays the role of Vulko - the counselor of Atlantis royalty who teaches and mentors Arthur to become the warrior he grows up to be. Patrick Wilson stars as Orm - the half-brother of Arthur Curry who seeks to challenge his birthright as king of Atlantis and become "Ocean Master". Likewise, Yahya-Abdul Mateen II becomes a very personal enemy to Aquaman after their initial encounter and takes up the role of his nemesis, Black Manta.

AQUAMAN – Final Trailer – in cinemas December 12
For all its brilliant casting and direction, Aquaman also bolsters one of the most impressive CGI works and special effects that can be made today - bringing to life the world of Atlantis and the rest of the undersea waters that make up the different kingdoms featured in this adventure. Wan and crew spare no expense in imagining something as beautiful as the capital city, while also digging deeper into Aquaman lore and displaying the horrors seen in The Trench. There's just plenty to talk about and it's better to watch it come to life, as well as the world hopping that Arthur and Mera go through to find King Atlan's trident to help save not only the surface world, but the rest of Atlantis from a war that may very well destroy both worlds as a result.

Undoubtedly one of the BEST superhero films to be made because it FINALLY puts to rest all the jokes unfairly pointed at Arthur Curry since time and memorial, Aquaman is just simply made to be seen by fans and newbies because it is rich with adventure, spectacle, and awesomeness. It puts DC back in the map in making a solid footing to the superhero movie market, and I can't wait to see what comes next in DC Films. Also, I got to go to the Grand Hyatt Hotel press conference and see Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, and director James Wan themselves before the Aquaman Fan Meet at SM Mall of Asia last December 11! You can see bits of that in my Facebook page in photos, as well as a Facebook Live Video too!
Aquaman is NOW SHOWING in theaters in The Philippines and Worldwide! I'd highly recommend seeing it in IMAX 3D too - it is simply gorgeous!

 Rating - 5/5