The Iron GiantAnimated films possess a magic that the best of them capitalize on to their fullest. Since the advent of the modern principles of animation developed in the 1930s by animators at Disney, animation has not only grown in creating the illusion of movement, but portraying characters and story of increasing complexity and meaning. The Iron Giant excels at recreating a 1950s-era New England, filled with a quaint town--appropriately named Rockwell--Cold War space race paranoia, sci-fi ray guns and metal invaders from space, and even beatniks. But the film also instills the same kind of magical glow that fits our nine-year old protagonist, Hogarth Hughes (voiced by Eli Marienthal), like a glove.
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Adapted from the novel, "The Iron Man", by renowned writer Ted Hughes, The Iron Giant is a tender tale of friendship and trust, as well as a cautionary one of judging others by appearances and how we have control over our own destiny. The story follows the aforementioned Hogarth as he surreptitiously maintains a friendship with a gigantic invader from space, who--as fortune would have it--is stricken with his particular version of amnesia. Hogarth discovers the metal man in the woods after it is caught in electrical wires at the power station, and Hogarth saves him (because Hogarth himself is good). The giant remembers this noble act--if nothing else--and later follows him home like a lost puppy dog. The iron giant eats metal, and Hogarth hits upon the idea to hide him at the local scrapyard, run by town "cool cat", Dean, who gradually warms to the titanic alien. The first sighting of the giant is actually attributed to a local kook, who all the same reports it to the government, who in turn sends third-stringer agent Kent Mansley to investigate--and a bigger jerk you will not find. Kent doubts the reality of the giant...until his car is eaten, at which point he begins to put pieces together and suspects Hogarth knows more than he's letting on. So Hogarth is forced to dodge the persistent Kent, avoid making his mother, Annie, suspicious of his behavior, and keeping the giant out of trouble. Needless to say, a great many hilarious situations ensue, and the film builds to an exciting and touching climax.
In my childhood, I watched a lot of animated films, particularly in the era of the "Disney Renaissance" (1989-1999), where animated films once again sprung to the forefront of popular entertainment and possessed a high quality of craftsmanship and clever storytelling. However, while the Disney films of the era were of exceptional quality, they remain firmly rooted in me as "children's films", perhaps due to the predominance of talking animals and household objects, and the enthusiastic musical numbers. The Iron Giant is a film that is appropriate--and likely targeted--for children, true, but the realistic setting, familiar era-relevant scares and nods (like "duck and cover") give the film a sense of history that makes it more palatable for adults. Thus, The Iron Giant is a film I often revisit, with its charming wit and well-crafted characters, its light-hearted humor paired with moments of tension and concern for Hogarth and the giant. And while many animated films attempt to shoehorn in celebrity voice actors, the talent performing in The Iron Giant is truly exceptional and expertly cast, with the likes of Harry Connick Jr. as Dean, Jennifer Aniston as Annie, Christopher McDonald as Kent, John Mahoney as the hard-nosed General Rogard, and especially Vin Diesel, who lends his voice to the mighty giant--each actor feels perfect in the role, and really makes each of these characters come to life. Hogarth teaches the giant in the only way he can--by showing him what it means to be a person with choice, and giving him a moral compass by being good himself. Sure, Hogarth sees the world through the eyes of a nine-year old...but in a way, isn't that the best way to see the world? Consider how the paranoid Kent sees the world and reacts to other nations and the illusion of threat, and you'll see what I mean. So for a film that is filled with comic moments--love the scene where the giant cannonballs into the lake--it also has a serious message about tolerance and accepting others for their differences, and choosing our own path in life...and all that implies.
Recommended for: Fans of exceptional animation with a touching story and loads of funny moments, a tale that entertains all ages but doesn't condescend to mature audiences.
In my childhood, I watched a lot of animated films, particularly in the era of the "Disney Renaissance" (1989-1999), where animated films once again sprung to the forefront of popular entertainment and possessed a high quality of craftsmanship and clever storytelling. However, while the Disney films of the era were of exceptional quality, they remain firmly rooted in me as "children's films", perhaps due to the predominance of talking animals and household objects, and the enthusiastic musical numbers. The Iron Giant is a film that is appropriate--and likely targeted--for children, true, but the realistic setting, familiar era-relevant scares and nods (like "duck and cover") give the film a sense of history that makes it more palatable for adults. Thus, The Iron Giant is a film I often revisit, with its charming wit and well-crafted characters, its light-hearted humor paired with moments of tension and concern for Hogarth and the giant. And while many animated films attempt to shoehorn in celebrity voice actors, the talent performing in The Iron Giant is truly exceptional and expertly cast, with the likes of Harry Connick Jr. as Dean, Jennifer Aniston as Annie, Christopher McDonald as Kent, John Mahoney as the hard-nosed General Rogard, and especially Vin Diesel, who lends his voice to the mighty giant--each actor feels perfect in the role, and really makes each of these characters come to life. Hogarth teaches the giant in the only way he can--by showing him what it means to be a person with choice, and giving him a moral compass by being good himself. Sure, Hogarth sees the world through the eyes of a nine-year old...but in a way, isn't that the best way to see the world? Consider how the paranoid Kent sees the world and reacts to other nations and the illusion of threat, and you'll see what I mean. So for a film that is filled with comic moments--love the scene where the giant cannonballs into the lake--it also has a serious message about tolerance and accepting others for their differences, and choosing our own path in life...and all that implies.
Recommended for: Fans of exceptional animation with a touching story and loads of funny moments, a tale that entertains all ages but doesn't condescend to mature audiences.