Alita: Battle Angel is a polarizing action movie.
On one hand, it’s been performing quite well at the box office. On the other, it has fans of the original manga by Yukito Kishiro a little confused at its bizarre design choices.
The film, which follows an amnesiac cyborg named Alita, is an action-packed adventure that finds the curious heroine setting off on a journey to uncover her past after waking up in a body with no memory of her past self.
The manga to live-action film adaptation from James Cameron and Robert Rodriguez seems to be courting the goodwill of most moviegoers, but there’s one aspect of the film that some viewers can’t seem to get over: Alita (Rosa Salazar) and her ginormous CGI eyes.
True, as a manga (and later OVA) series, Alita has the large eyes unique to the style. But it doesn’t translate well to a live-action person, and just because Alita herself has the enormous eyes, it doesn’t mean the movie had to bring them over, too.
They look unnatural and strange, at least according to fans on social media. And while the odd stylistic decision was originally meant (according to Rodriguez) to bridge the gap between anime and live-action, it hasn’t resonated well with everyone. Some viewers are upset about the enormous eyes being a disservice to Alita, while others are keen on just relentlessly mocking it…making for some hilarious memes.
wtf is wrong with her eyes from dankmemes
Am I doing it right? from dankmemes
splooge tyme from dankmemes
Atilla battle angel from dankmemes
The memes aren’t just on Reddit, though. Twitter users quickly got to work making countless memes as well, taking celebrities like Miley Cyrus and even Nintendo’s Mii characters to make a point. Her eyes are too damn big. And it’s weird.
no one:
— andy (@papiphat) February 19, 2019
Alita, the battle angel: pic.twitter.com/dkMUgS9Q5i
No one:
— joseph (@IGNxLOL) February 17, 2019
Alita: Battle Angel: pic.twitter.com/V4OfKYRJ19
Literally No one:
— TOMCAT [COMMS CLOSED] (@tomcat_618) February 21, 2019
ALITA BATTLE ANGEL: pic.twitter.com/Fhw9EGpMat
https://twitter.com/robderiz/status/1098386909464850432
No one:
— #TeamScorbunny (@oaiM_awgaS) February 20, 2019
Alita: Battle Angel: pic.twitter.com/tA84wVzNde
No one:
— Chris ♡ (@soobinnies_) February 20, 2019
Alita: battle angel pic.twitter.com/xMxquhgfaX
https://twitter.com/unilateralis_/status/1098422494795452418
https://twitter.com/jennyfromretail/status/1098082241157058561
No one:
— Bolita de carne (@ZombieApprove) February 19, 2019
Alita: https://t.co/EApTk4tsZo
I've got another one.
— Aiyana (@Wet__Banana) February 19, 2019
Literally no one:
Alita, battle angel: pic.twitter.com/cHSAvFyawu
no one:
— lean (@si_leaaan) February 19, 2019
alita, battle angel: pic.twitter.com/T4S1qGWGiM
No one :
— yung berhoemad (@shamelanite) February 19, 2019
Alita, Battle Angel : pic.twitter.com/SsLaXHFLK5
https://twitter.com/jennyfromretail/status/1097769855632138242
No one:
— PizzaFox (@RealPizzaFox) February 19, 2019
Alita: Battle Angel: pic.twitter.com/SblAUHpQHV
If you’re interested in seeing how the movie plays out for yourself, it’s in theaters now. Give it a look if you’re into slick cyberpunk action with a teen romance built in for kicks.