# Alita: Battle Angel

> 2019 film directed by Robert Rodriguez

**Wikidata**: [Q24053265](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q24053265)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alita:_Battle_Angel)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alita-battle-angel

## Summary
Alita: Battle Angel is a 2019 science fiction film directed by Robert Rodriguez, based on Yukito Kishiro's manga series *Battle Angel Alita*. Produced by James Cameron and Jon Landau, it combines live-action and CGI to depict a post-apocalyptic cyberpunk world. The film stars Rosa Salazar as the titular cyborg, exploring themes of identity and humanity.

## Key Facts
- **Release Dates**: February 6, 2019 (Japan), February 14, 2019 (US), February 22, 2019 (Germany).
- **Director**: Robert Rodriguez.
- **Producers**: James Cameron, Jon Landau (Lightstorm Entertainment), 20th Century Studios.
- **Genre**: Science fiction, cyberpunk, action, post-apocalyptic.
- **Runtime**: 122 minutes.
- **Budget**: $170 million.
- **Box Office**: $404.3 million worldwide.
- **Ratings**: 61% on Rotten Tomatoes, 53/100 on Metacritic, 7.3/10 on IMDB.
- **Source Material**: Adapted from Yukito Kishiro's manga *Gunnm* (1990–1995).
- **Starring**: Rosa Salazar, Christoph Waltz, Jennifer Connelly, Mahershala Ali.
- **Music**: Junkie XL.
- **Cinematography**: Don Burgess.
- **Studio**: 20th Century Studios, Lightstorm Entertainment, Troublemaker Studios.
- **Country**: United States.
- **Language**: English.
- **Filming Locations**: Austin, Texas, and New Zealand.
- **Awards**: Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film (2020).
- **Sequel Status**: In development as of 2023.

## FAQs
**What is the film's genre and thematic focus?**  
Alita: Battle Angel blends science fiction, cyberpunk, and action, set in a post-apocalyptic future. It explores themes of identity, humanity, and societal class divisions through the lens of a cyborg protagonist.

**Who created the film and its source material?**  
Directed by Robert Rodriguez and produced by James Cameron, the film adapts Yukito Kishiro's manga *Gunnm* (1990–1995). Cameron co-wrote the screenplay with Laeta Kalogridis and Rodriguez.

**How was the film received commercially and critically?**  
The film grossed $404.3 million worldwide against a $170 million budget, underperforming projections but gaining a cult following. Critics praised its visual effects and action sequences but criticized pacing and plot development.

**What technical innovations were used in production?**  
The film utilized advanced CGI and 3D technology, with Rosa Salazar performing motion capture for Alita. Its visuals emphasized hyper-realistic character design and action choreography.

**Is a sequel planned?**  
A sequel was announced in 2023, with Rodriguez set to return as director and Cameron as producer, though no release date has been confirmed.

## Why It Matters
Alita: Battle Angel is significant for its ambitious adaptation of a beloved manga into a visually groundbreaking sci-fi epic. It showcases cutting-edge CGI and motion capture, contributing to the evolution of hybrid live-action/animated filmmaking. The film’s exploration of cyberpunk aesthetics and dystopian societal structures resonates with contemporary debates on technology and humanity. Despite mixed critical reception, its cultural impact is evident in its dedicated fanbase and influence on subsequent sci-fi projects.

## Notable For
- **Visual Innovation**: Pioneered hyper-detailed CGI character design for Alita, blending realistic human features with robotic elements.
- **Cultural Adaptation**: Faithful yet expansive interpretation of Kishiro’s manga, introducing the series to global audiences.
- **Director’s Vision**: Robert Rodriguez’s kinetic action direction, combined with James Cameron’s production oversight.
- **Thematic Depth**: Explores existential questions of identity and purpose through a cyborg protagonist.
- **Box Office Performance**: Highest-grossing film of 2019 in Japan, demonstrating cross-cultural appeal.

## Body

### Production and Development
- **Origins**: James Cameron acquired rights to *Gunnm* in 1995, initially planning to direct but later delegating to Rodriguez due to *Avatar* commitments.
- **Filming**: Principal photography occurred in Austin, Texas (2016–2018), with motion capture work by Weta Digital.
- **Budget**: $170 million, partially funded by 20th Century Fox before its Disney acquisition.

### Release and Reception
- **Premieres**: Debuted in Tokyo on February 6, 2019, followed by US and European releases.
- **Critical Response**: Praised for visuals (e.g., Alita’s design) but criticized for narrative pacing and character development.
- **Awards**: Won the 2020 Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film and a Visual Effects Society Award for character creation.

### Themes and Influences
- **Cyberpunk Elements**: Neon-lit dystopian cityscapes, corporate oligarchy, and body modification reflect classic cyberpunk tropes.
- **Manga Adaptation**: Retains key plot points from *Gunnm*, such as Alita’s relationship with Hugo and the Motorball tournament.
- **Philosophical Questions**: Explores what defines humanity through Alita’s journey from amnesia to self-discovery.

### Cultural Impact
- **Fandom**: Inspired fan art, cosplay, and fan fiction, particularly around Alita’s character design.
- **Sequel Demand**: Persistent fan campaigns (#AlitaSequel) contributed to the 2023 announcement of a follow-up film.
- **Technical Legacy**: Influenced subsequent CGI-heavy films, such as *The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim* (2024).

### Connected Entities
- **Genres**: Science fiction film, cyberpunk, action film, post-apocalyptic fiction.
- **Production Companies**: Lightstorm Entertainment, 20th Century Studios, Madhouse (animation support).
- **Cast and Crew**: Rosa Salazar (Alita), Christoph Waltz (Dr. Ido), Mahershala Ali (Vector), Jennifer Connelly (Chiren), Junkie XL (composer).
- **Related Works**: *Battle Angel Alita* manga, *Avatar* (2009), *Sin City* (2005) (Rodriguez’s prior work).

### Box Office and Legacy
- **Global Gross**: $404.3 million, with $85.8 million in the US and $318.5 million internationally.
- **Cultural References**: Parodied in *The Simpsons* and *Family Guy*; featured in *Ready Player One* (2018) as a nostalgic Easter egg.
- **Academic Analysis**: Studied in film courses for its blend of practical and digital effects, and its representation of gender in sci-fi.

## References

1. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
2. Entertainment Identifier Registry
3. The Movie Database
4. IMDb
5. Alita: Battle Angel. Rotten Tomatoes
6. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0437086/releaseinfo)
7. [Source](http://nmhh.hu/dokumentum/198182/terjesztett_filmalkotasok_art_filmek_nyilvantartasa.xlsx)
8. Google Knowledge Graph
9. BBC Things
10. [Source](https://www.spio-fsk.de/asp/fskkarte.asp?pvid=598546)
11. Kinopoisk
12. [Source](https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/alita-battle-angel-2019)
13. [Source](http://www.kijkwijzer.nl/index.php?id=26&i=628417)
14. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/alita-battle-angel/)
15. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
16. film distribution certificate
17. Alita: Battle Angel
18. [Source](http://justica.gov.br/news/collective-nitf-content-1550150040.61)
19. ClassInd database
20. [Source](https://sede.mcu.gob.es/webicaa/Ficheros/209917/34/209917/1/209.pdf)
21. [Source](http://cnc.abt.ro/registru/index.aspx?pageID=3&filmID=16058)
22. [Source](https://www.zhihu.com/search?q=%E9%98%BF%E4%B8%BD%E5%A1%94%E6%88%98%E6%96%97%E5%A4%A9%E4%BD%BF&type=content)
23. [Source](http://www.rtc.gob.mx/NuevoSitio/cine_clasif_35mm.php?cd=469)
24. SoundtrackCollector
25. mymovies.it
26. Danish Film Database
27. [Source](https://www.rcq.gouv.qc.ca/RCQ212AfficherFicheTech.asp?intNoFilm=409613)
28. [🔥 Alita: Battle Angel (2019) MBTI Personality Type - Movies](https://www.personality-database.com/profile?pid=2&cid=3&sub_cat_id=3044)
29. TheTVDB
30. Trakt.tv
31. FilmVandaag.nl