“Alita” Reviews Mixed, Box-Office Worrisome
Reviews are now in for the Robert Rodriguez-directed and James Cameron-produced sci-fi epic “Alita: Battle Angel,” and the overall word is very mixed.
With 43 reviews counted on
Rotten Tomatoes, the film stands at a mediocre 53% (5.7/10) and reactions seem to be all over the board with some loving, some liking, some dismissing and some despising it.
The film is looking likely to be the final theatrical release by 20th Century Fox before it falls under Disney’s purview. Made for a budget said to be around a whopping $200 million,
The Wrap says tracking figures for the film are fairly disastrous with a five-day mid-February opening (it hits on a Wednesday) of no more than $25 million and a final domestic gross expected to be not much more than double that. A couple of key reactions are included below:
“Their chutzpah is admirable, but perhaps, on this occasion, a little misplaced.” – Stephen Dalton, Hollywood Reporter
“A sci-fi epic that does something rare in an age of endless adaptations and reboots: lives up to its potential while leaving you wanting more.” – Michael Nordine, indieWire
“A pretty zappy effects showcase, weighed down by a protracted, soul-challenged Frankenstory that short-circuits every time it gets moving.” – Guy Lodge, Variety
“Alita: Battle Angel is an engaging piece of thoroughly computer-generated action pop, hokey and amiable and filled with enough set pieces to never drag.” – Emily Yoshida, Vulture
There’s also a new behind the scenes featurette. “Alita: Battle Angel” opens in cinemas on February 14th.