Alita Battle Angel- just keep the eyes off my screen

I am going to be honest, there were times when I couldn't get over the eyes. I am sorry it got stuck in the uncanny valley for me and that hurt the movie at times. If the eyes were just a bit smaller things would have been fine but there were times when I just got a bit freaked out by the appearance.

Now that the major problem with the movie is out of the way, I have to say I really liked this movies. It had a lot of things that I really like, action, new types of sports, and redemption stories. The movie moves at a good pace and does a good job of exploring Alita pass in a way that makes sense and does not distract from the forward progression of the plot. I did not think there was much unnecessary exposition in the movie and the introduction of motorball served to advance the plot than provide a distraction to the movie.

Motorball is a combination of roller derby and death race, I think. The rules seem to be do what ever it takes to get the ball and race it a tube and dunk it in. The players wear motorized skates and appear to be able to do what ever they want to advance the ball to the goal. It's fun to watch not sure it would be fun to play, though that could be my lack of imagination with the motorized skates. Unlike this review, the movie is able to introduce the sport and actually give it value to the plot of the movie. Several key plot points take place during a game of motorball.

I'll be honest, I cheated a bit here as I look at a couple other reviews prior to watching the movie because I wanted to see how they dealt with the bug eyes and those reviewers seemed to have issue with the relationship with Alita and Hugo. I didn't have a problem with it as they are presented as two independent characters that change because of their interactions with the other. Hugo tries to improve himself because of meeting Alita but he never gives up his goal of advancing to the city in the sky. Alita, who has no memory of anything wants to help Hugo with his goal as well as advancing her goal of riding the world of evil and the enemy Nova. It takes time for her to remember all this but she does over the course of the movie.

It's a good movie but there is another issue with the film. The ending is setting up a sequel and as I was watching the movie when it got to the end I was ready for more. It think they ended it prematurely and there is a lot more story to tell. I think that was a major risk and one I am not a fan of. Generally, I think that a movie should wrap up the story in its duration. There can be an overarching story throughout a series of movies but the ending of one, especially the first should not be to set up the next. If it is the 2nd okay maybe that is fine but the 1st should really be self contained.

The movie though does make me want to watch more of Alita and I would go see a sequel as I am interested in where the story is going to go from here. James Cameron don't take as long as it did for Avatar 2.

4 out of 5 stars hands down will watch when it comes on TV.

Cold Pursuit- Revenge a course best severed cold

Liam Neeson is back in action and it is back to the taken script for this one but instead of his daughter being in danger it is his son, and the movie is set in a ski town of Colorado instead of somewhere warm. Think Taken meets The Grey. Based on a Norwegian film "In Order of Disappearance" this film provides everything that you have come to expect from a Neeson lead action film. Lot's of death, an almost silent protagonist, and some laughs that are built into the plot.

 Coxman, (Neeson) goes after everyone who wrongfully killed his son and in the process inadvertently starts a drug turf war. Coxman is able to knock off a few of the low level drug dealers which causes confusion in the Viking's drug empire. Viking the villain of the movie is actually just pure evil, so evil that it serves almost a comical role that really fits the movie. It leads to what the movie does best is create comedy in situations you would not expect it and really get you to enjoy the movie.

Here the down and dirty about the movie and something we know going into the movie. It is not the pinicle of theme and artistic expression. Simply put it is a fast acting action movie with some comedy and great way to escape from the world for a few hours. If you like Neeson other work in this genre you will enjoy this movie as well. Worth the watch for anyone who enjoyed Taken.

4 out of 5 stars

The Boy that would be King- a modern tale of the round table

What do you get when you combine simple story telling, a classic tale, and imposing family values? The Boy who would be King, of course, the title of this post probably gives that away. Now this movie is about a boy who is able to pull the sword from the stone. I am sure all of my readers know the legend of King Arthur but even if you don't the movie explains it quickly in the first 5 minutes and any information is explained during the quest. That quest is simple out young hero has to lead his knights to the realm of the undead to take of Morganna, aka Morgan le Frey and countless other names.

Only a true knight is able to defeat the evil that is Morganna and prevent her from taking over the world. Do the young knights keep the code by being brave, loyal and honoring their loved ones or do they fall to the modern day temptations and  fall to defeat this great evil.

This is a fun movie, that uses simple story telling techniques to get the message across. There are fun spots but at time the movie seems to drag across the middle portion. There are action scenes but they are not great or exciting. That's okay though as that really is not the point of the movie. The movie is geared towards young adults and for the younger audience it is probably and excellent movie. The adults in the audience are not going to be super into it but there needs to be room for this type of movie as well. Take the kids and enjoy. It won't be anyone favorite movie of all time but it should be enjoyed by everyone.

3.5 out of 5 stars