Solid animation, warm story! What a combination! (The Iron Giant (DVD))

Member Name: martial_loh

Product:	The Iron Giant (DVD)
Date:	21/07/01 (27 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Its got a robot in it!, Great visuals, Puts recent Disney outings to shame

Disadvantages: Leaves you wanting more...not really a con!

Its the 1950s - the space race is what occupies the governments of the world.
In a small town in the US, a fisherman claims to have seen a giant creature that fell from out of space. We see this as the opening sequence of the movie.
Hogarth Hughes, a small boy who lives with his mum on the town outskirts is at home one night alone - his mum works in a diner and often has to pull late shifts - there is no father. He is watching a classically stereotyped black and white horror movie, when the TV signal goes dead. Annoyed, Hogarth goes up onto his roof to check out the aerial -only to find it all chewed up! literally!
Hogarth grabs his kiddy-gun, torch, helmet and pilot jacket and heads off to the woods in search of what munched his tv aerial... he gets the shock of his life! A gigantic iron robot is seen plodding around the town power station, eating metallic components, when all of a sudden he gets electrocuted by the electrical cables. Seeing the trapped metal monster, Hogarth decides to save it by switching off the power supply.
The robot and Hogarth begin a brand new friendship the next day. Apparently, it has lost its memory due to a bump on its head.
All seems well, until a government agent comes to inspect the situation.......

The robot really reminds me of both Ted Hughes Iron man, as well as the japanese superhero Ultraman! I really liked its combat modes and wished they could use it more - maybe in the sequel?
This film has great animation, using both the traditional hand drawn methods as well as computer aided elements- ie the robot itself. The effects like rain and ocean waves look really good in comparison to many other animated titles. It really does put many Disney titles that we've seen recently to shame..
The characters are all well designed - you cant help but hate the government agent, laugh at the giant's learning steps and sympathise for Hogarth and his mother.
Dubbing is good, as is the scenery,
story and any other element you'd care to consider.
The plot does speed up a little too much towards the end of the movie, but this does provide an added tension that is well appreciated.
Oh and Jeniffer Aniston does the voice of the mother I think.

I hope they do a sequel for thsi movie - the ending really left me wanting more! Maybe they could divulge the origin of the Iron GIant? Perhaps we could have it defend the earth from its fellow alien giants? Now that would be epic!
You can really watch this movie with anybody. Its not too taxing on the brain, and the visuals are a treat to the eye.
I got the video tape for a mere £4 (brand new) in a sale...certain editions include a free toy of the robot (which i dont have - sob!).
SO go watch it!! It beats the living daylights out Disney's newer exploits (Hunchback, Hercules, Recess, Atlantis..to name but a few)

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