As it’s half term, this Friday afternoon we head to the Hatfield Odeon to see Alita: Battle Angel. We choose our drinks, popcorn and chocolates and are then handed our 3D glasses as we make our way to Screen 8: ‘Relax and Recline.’ The auditorium is so much more spacious, with far fewer seats than we’re used to. In fact they’re not seats at all, but reclining armchairs designed for luxury viewing.

We place our treats on our side tables and take off our coats, then snuggle into the soft cream leather armchairs. My daughter is the first to discover the recline button on the side and we are soon cushioned, tilted and bespectacled, ready to escape into a futuristic Manga sci-fi film. Although directed by Robert Rodriguez I already know that I’m going to have to hang onto my hat as Peter Cameron is the producer!

I can’t believe how advanced and subtle 3D technology has become! The illusory creation of depth immediately immerses us into a busy market place in the decaying post-apocalyptic Iron City. It is set in the 26th Century, technology has taken over and most people are part-human, part-cyborg.

The star of the show is Alita, a Cyberpunk teenage Manga heroine with huge mesmerizing eyes; she is discovered by Dr Ido in the city’s scrapyard; a broken down female cyborg with a fully functioning human brain. Alita seems to have a heart and soul but no memory. As he puts her back together, the first few spoken words of the film are, “What are you dreaming little angel?” and with that we are led into a new adventure.

As the story progresses, Alita is thrust into a world she doesn’t recognise, then discovers her extraordinary past as a battle Angel with phenomenal powers pertaining to a lost combat art.

There are many innovative, thrilling and action-packed moments; from Alita’s first meeting with Hugo, her human love-interest who whisks her away on his incredible motorbike, to the beautiful underwater imagery of the lost wreckage of her people’s spaceship, where she experiences flashbacks of being in combat alongside her fellow cyborg warriors.

Alita’s relationship with Hugo helps to trigger her memories. When she lets him go, Alita’s tears fall as she knows that she must surrender him and fight on. I love the way she slices her tear in two with her sword in precise manga-style animation, knowing that she must go back into battle as ultimately she is a warrior, a survivor, and has literally been designed for the battles that lie ahead of her.

The film is mildly reminiscent of Blade Runner, with that cyberpunk feel, lavish costumes and celebration of nanotech and robotics; it’s certainly the first time I’ve ever seen cyborg dogs! I get lost in my enjoyment of Alita’s athletic acrobatics during the Motorball tournament. My daughter tells me it is pure Manga.

As the credits roll I’m amazed by the sheer number of talented and experienced experts involved in the making of this film, packed with state-of-the-art animation and breath-taking 3D visual effects. As a child of the late seventies, for a second I smile to myself, remembering Spielberg’s 3D shark crudely outlined in red as it emerged from the depths of the sea and came for us in Jaws 3 back in 1983.

The film has been a sumptuous sensory experience, and by the end we remain in the zone and linger in our comfortable seats enjoying the music. Finally we sit up and look at each other bleary-eyed, “That was amazing!” my daughter sighs with enthusiasm, I smile back, disorientated but inspired. I’ve enjoyed the ride and knew I’d have to hang onto my hat!

  • Marisa Laycock moved from south west London to St Albans in 2000. She enjoys sharing her experiences of living in the city.