Often in Hollywood, anime and manga adaptations are viewed with skepticism, but reviews of a new product of this kind called "Alita: Battle Angel" are mostly positive. For over a decade, legendary producer James Cameron was directly involved in the development of this project. And finally, with the help of Robert Rodriguez in the director's chair, the long work took shape.
Lately, many studios have tried to create sci-fi and fantasy films with cool effects and drama. But for one reason or another, most of the films flopped at the box office. There have also been attempts to adapt the beloved Japanese anime and manga franchises. One recent such attempt was an adaptation of Death Note, which angered die-hard fans of the original. "Ghost in the Shell", co-produced by Paramount and DreamWorks, also fell short of popularity.
And if you are in search of really interesting fiction, which has not only special effects, but also a certain deep meaning, then your attention is presented 10 movies similar to Alita: Battle Angel.
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Ghost in armor
No, not an adaptation of 2017, but the original beloved Ghost in the Shell. That same 1995 anime inspired The Matrix and many other sci-fi movies.
The plot is similar to that of an adaptation: a cyborg cop battles criminals and corruption while trying to figure out what it means to be human. Fortunately, 1995's Ghost in the Shell covers these themes better than a Hollywood remake.
2004 saw the release of the well-received sequel, Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, as well as the decent 2006 Ghost in the Shell: Loner Syndrome - Ossified Society. The original idea has also been used as the basis for a number of films and TV series. And the most recent such attempt, and a mediocre one, is Ghost in the Shell: At the Origins.
Akira
The plot is somewhat similar to "Alita": the main character is trying to survive in a cruel dystopian world. But the differences are still palpable. For two hours, the viewer will have to contemplate many bloody and unpleasant moments, such as corpses riddled with bullets and disgustingly mutating people. It does not help the film that the story involves not only dead cyborgs, but also includes horrific scenes of the death of real people.
But despite this, "Akira" is a real classic with a good emotional component and depth, which allows not to focus on excessive scenes of violence. Thanks to the writers, the film is really catchy in places. The viewer believes in the suffering of the protagonist and hopes for the best with him.
Out of the car
Out of the Machine raises questions about artificial intelligence, such as whether humans have the right to control robots. The main character named Caleb was chosen as an assistant to help test the intelligent robot. But everything turned out to be not as simple as it seemed at first glance. The film received a lot of rave reviews, even though it had difficulties with a US release and a low box office of only $ 36 million. The film won more than a dozen awards and was even nominated for an Oscar for Best Screenplay.
And while Out of the Machine has a lot less action than Alita or other sci-fi movies, this movie is a great choice for people keen on using robots to make life easier and how it can go beyond moral boundaries. ...
Mad Max: Fury Road
We hope everyone reading this has already seen Mad Max. And if not, then you definitely should! The film lives up to its name and offers to plunge into the world of post-apocalypse with high-speed, filled with explosions and shooting, breathtaking pursuits, and at the same time still manages to remain quite realistic.
Like Alita, Fury Road has a few strong female characters, but they all fit into the plot well enough to raise questions. For example, the development of one of the main characters named Furiosa differs from Alita as much as possible. You can also revisit the original Mad Max trilogy, which, despite its age, is still relevant, and which also has many well-written characters.
Lucy
Lucy offers a darker take on the idea of a woman with superpowers. And although for the most part the film looks like an ordinary action thriller, in some moments the events taking place with the heroine Scarlett Johansson make you really empathize with her. Morgan Freeman's character also adds drama to the film, but his character in places looks rather inexpressive.
The idea of the film is simple, but at the same time it is realized at the highest level: Not of her own free will, Lucy becomes a courier for the delivery of drugs. But by chance, she gains superpowers when a bag sewn into her stomach leaks. The film shows us a realistic approach to the idea of superpowers. And even if in comparison with many other films of the genre of science fiction, "Lucy" does not shine with the depth of the raised philosophical and moral questions, it is no less interesting to watch.
X-Men: First Class
Although X-Men 2 is favored by many fans, X-Men: First Class should be more popular with Alita fans due to its younger protagonists. And even if you don't really like superhero movies, X-Men: First Class is worth your attention, as the film covers the problem of how power can change people. Plus, you don't have to watch all of the previous X-Men films to understand the plot.
Professor Xavier is a man of principle, but this does not prevent him from treating with attention and care to his, by no means sinless, young wards. And while Xavier and Magneto are trying to stop the "Cuban Crisis", young mutants have to find their place in the world. The result is a great movie, one of the best in the X-Men series.
Logan
On the other side of the X-Men story, we have Logan, where the already iconic Hugh Jackman plays the aging Wolverine. By coincidence, Logan meets a young mutant named Laura, with powers very similar to his, and helps her hide from the people responsible for her mutation. This story is strikingly different from all the other "X-Men" and unfolds in the near future, showing a gloomy and realistic world of mutants who are no longer as young and full of strength as before.
Laura's story looks interesting, but still the character is not revealed as much as we would like. Logan and Professor X have also changed a lot since the time we saw them on screen, and this makes their actions difficult to predict. You will find it difficult to understand Logan if you haven’t heard anything about X-Men before, but even if you watched the original trilogy ten years ago, you will understand most of what is happening.
Blade runner
Blade Runner must be on our list, if only because he has had a huge impact on the genre of science fiction as a whole. Certain prerequisites for the plot intersect with "Alita", and the setting in which the action of the film takes place is somewhat similar, but this is where the similarities, unfortunately, end. Harrison Ford plays the bounty hunter in an antitopic world where androids, called replicants, are used as weak-willed slaves. And the consequences are not hard to predict: violence and brutality reign in this world.
Chances are you have already watched this movie.But it's worth revisiting it if only for the sake of feeling what a huge effect Blade Runner has had on all the films on this list. The sequel, Blade Runner 2049, was also warmly received by audiences, and Harrison Ford still plays a major role even though the film was released 35 years after the original!
Apple seed
Even if the animation of the 2004 model no longer looks impressive, "Apple Seed" stands out with an interesting concept and a well-twisted plot. The guy of the main character who survived after the third world war was transformed into a cyborg, but their battle does not end there, because there are still many enemies around, with whom the couple will have to fight.
There is also a 1988 film, but it is better to prefer newer ones, such as "Appleseed 2: The Ex Machine" and "Appleseed: Project Alpha". Alas, the aforementioned films do not shine with the development of the characters, but the plot itself and the exciting battle scenes will not leave most science fiction fans disappointed. Also in 2011-2012, a series called "Apple Seed XIII" was broadcast on TV, but fans, frankly, did not like it.
Artificial intelligence
If you love good drama as much as you love action movies, then Artificial Intelligence is definitely to your taste. This film from maestro Steven Spielberg tells about the difficulties of the relationship of an android child with his human family; and how these difficulties do not diminish his desire to become a real boy.
And this story is not so rosy and simple as it might seem at first glance. In addition to the already familiar ideas of science fiction, the film surprises with unexpected and emotional plot twists, really taking to the living, and very well-written characters. In typical Steven Spielberg fashion, the film is amazing, but at the same time everything that happens on the screen is perceived quite believable.
We recommend watching:
"ALITA. ANIME AND CINEMA COMPARISON" from the MIZAR channel. In the video, you will learn about the differences between the original anime and the film adaptation of the film. Great commentator and interesting content.
