Alita: Battle Angel

Going in: I hope this movie does really well. I expect it'll be CGI fueled and descent. I did see this in IMAX 3D. I have no knowledge of the anime behind it so I came in as an open fan.

Popcorn: 9/10. I enjoyed this movie a great deal. It wasn't complicated, but it was compelling. There are a lot of ways they pull you into the story. There were even a couple of scenes early on where the entire audience (only about 20 of us - it was Valentine's Day) screamed "Yeah!" at the same time. I did see it in 3D and I would wholly recommend paying the extra price for it. This movie did really well.

Art: 9/10. This is just good storytelling, direction, and incredible CGI. It pulls you in right away. I didn't notice anything bad, it's just that it didn't shine as brightly as those areas. But it certainly didn't detract.

Acting: 5/6. Most of this was centered around a CGI character and they nailed that so well. The rest of it didn't need a lot of subtlety but we still got it with Cristoph Waltz and Mahershala Ali. The romantic lead was a little bland but I think that was intentional.

Music: 3/4. I noticed the music at the beginning, but honestly the story sucked me in and I lost track of it. There was a good blend here but it didn't necessarily say "Hey, I'm here too".

Filming: 4/4. Even most of this movie was CGI, the use of lighting and color as well as matching it up to live action was smooth and very well done. There's some lighting effects particularly in the beginning where it was just beautiful.

Art Dept: 4/4. Okay. The CGI is so amazing in this movie. Most of the effort is spent on the character moments on Alita's face. So expressive. The rest is sold and done well enough that you buy it.

Editing: 3/4. Standard fair for editing. Nothing good stood out but nothing bad did either.

Story: 8/8. This is a love story with some action in it. I like the focus on character but at the same time the action starts very near the beginning. It was not a disappointment at all. I got lost in the story and felt the third act fumbled a little bit because I was checking my watch. But, just as I thought this might be another Man of Steel (where there was just one long ending), the movie ended. What's interesting is that you don't really know the ending and while I hope they make a sequel, I'd be just as happy without one.

Directing: 5/6. Everything just came together, especially the storytelling and the CGI. It was consistent except right up near the end, but they saved it as well.

Production: 4/4. I am so happy to have seen this movie. It was a great premise and didn't disappoint. I can't imagine any other characters playing this (except maybe Demi Moore in Jennifer Connelly's place but I didn't think about that until after). And this was a big screen movie.

Orthodox thoughts (major spoilers and religious themes):
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There is a lot I could pull out, but there's one phrase that stuck out: I cannot stand by in the presence of evil. The more of that I think about, the more convicted I get it.

I joined a religious tradition where people were tortured and died for what they believed. Unbelievable tortures. They believed there was a way to live and that it was their duty to stand against the abuses and corruption of others. We don't now. Or at least I don't

Rather, I do stand by in the presence of evil. We don't have to fear physical violence here in the US, but what about social death, financial struggles. If we stand up to evil - wisely - are we willing to risk it all?

If not, then how much do we really believe what we claim to believe?