"Alita: Battle Angel," Reviewed: A Robert Rodriguez and James Cameron Robot Film with Too Much "Titanic" in Its DNA

The new effects-driven science-fiction thriller "Alita: Battle Angel" stages a behind-the-scenes tussle for the ages: it is a collaboration between Robert Rodriguez, a filmmaker known for such neo-pulp action films as "From Dusk till Dawn" and "Sin City," and James Cameron, a filmmaker whose technological sophistication is matched by a simplistic emotionalism. Here they are thrown together in a virtual video ring and try to collaborate. And, however sincere and earnest their alliance may be, the movie itself tells a different tale: Cameron's sensibility wins, hands down. Not only does Rodriguez give up most of the fun, but Cameron also runs away with the substance. And that's all the more unfortunate, as the two are evenly matched early on in the film and the outcome of their efforts appears, at first, promising.