Alita: Battle Angel

The ham-handed metaphor of people living in the sky vs. people on the ground/earth--a staple since "Jack and the Beanstalk"--has really been getting a workout in recent years. So it continues here. Lack of originality is one problem that manifests in this film; a certain muddiness to the plot is another issue. It's hard to tell who's really the villain here and who's just a side project. That's the bad news. The good news is, Rosa Salazar gives a very impressive performance as Alita, so much so given the fact that it's wrapped entirely in CGI. Another plus is the steady presence of Christoph Waltz. Those two principals are very likeable and drive the viewer's interest throughout these proceedings. The denouement is either provocatively left open-ended, or was meant to set up a sequel that box office receipts seem to indicate will never happen. Who knows? Alita the character is pulled off a scrap heap to become a movie's heroine--maybe her story will see a similar resurrection thanks to after-market sales.

Spy Kids 2

A movie that is often clever and funny. A movie that is often flat and not engaging. Not a great combination. There's way too much emphasis on gimmickry; the "heart" stuff feels tacked on in comparison. But the actors are likable and compelling, in their own way. Don't pay for it, but if you've got time to kill.

Spy Kids

This one surprised me. I expected it not to live up to its hype, and then it went ahead and lived up to it. Very enjoyable. We'll see about that sequel…