Alright folks, here's The Feral Kid's look at THE IRON GIANT. As do most everyone that views this masterpiece... He fell in love. Go on folks, let your imagination soar in anticipation of this movie. It really won't harm you. This is the real magic stuff. Among all the films that have come out this summer, this is the movie that most belongs in that magical summer of 1982. It creates that feeling you had that summer when magic flowed from theaters like you couldn't believe. Now, if only the rest of this summer's crop soared as highly. I've got hopes for EYES WIDE SHUT and MYSTERY MEN... but really... My feeling at the moment is that THE IRON GIANT is at least my fave movie of this summer as well as being the best.
Tonight, I saw “The Iron Giant”.
Tonight, I saw the best animated film since “My Neighbor Totoro” and the best American animated film since “Pinocchio”.
Tonight, I saw a film that succeeds where “The Prince of Egypt” failed: it showed that an animated film can rise above the tired Disney formula,
and look down from the clouds at all the other animation studios and say, “Well, here I am; can you catch up?”
Tonight, I saw the arrival of the most promising new filmmaker since P.T. Anderson: Brad Bird. Yes, I’ve seen his previous work, but this is his
first feature. And it clearly shows that while this is the work of a team, it is one man’s vision. Congratulations, Mr. Bird.
Today, I made my way to the Comic Book And Science Fiction Convention at the Shrine Auditorium for one reason: to secure tickets to this
film. Everything else (Lou Ferrigno, Ahna Capri, toys, comics) was secondary. Once I got my ticket, I roamed around for a while and met Mr.
Ferrigno, who still looks like he did all those years ago on “The Incredible Hulk”, but, tragically, reminded me of broken down old Jake La Motta
at the end of “Raging Bull”. Surely, his talents are needed somewhere. I’m not trying to be cruel; I’d just like to see him working. But, I digress.
After wandering for an hour, I headed towards the USC campus for the screening. And after waiting in line for two hours, they let us in. Then,
the movie started…
I won’t spoil anything. I myself only scan most reviews to see which movies are getting good buzz so a good film doesn’t slip by without
notice. So, for those scanning, this review is rated: EXTREMELY POSITIVE (SPOILER FREE).
“The Iron Giant” is about a little boy, an outsider, in need of a friend. He finds that friend in the Thing From Outer Space. Sure, there’s the
language gap, but friendship is stronger than language. The two become good friends, and laugh and play and learn from each other, but, like
Viola said in “Shakespeare In Love”: “This isn’t love, Will. It is a stolen season.” All good things must come to an end. If this all sounds
familiar, it is. From the moment the two characters meet, it is obvious we’re watching “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial”. Is this a bad thing? No. “E.T.”
is my favorite film of all time, but I think there’s enough room for both movies. “Iron Giant” doesn’t rip off “E.T.”. It just shares story elements.
“The Iron Giant” has its own agendas and ideas.
But, I don’t think the story is the reason this movie is so great. It’s the characters. This film treats its characters with respect and doesn’t make
them hokey. Even the easy targets are treated like real people. Dean, the beatnik junkman, looks and talks in a way that cries out comic relief, but
after two minutes with him, you see he’s flesh and blood under that paint. And Kent Mansley, the movie’s closest thing to a villain, is just a
reflection of the Red hysteria of the time (this is the year of Sputnik after all). The only underdeveloped character of the bunch is the kid’s
mother, but I think that was intentional: she’s too busy to spend time with Hogarth (the kid), so she’s too busy for us, too.
And the movie’s other strong points are the brilliant character design—wait till you see what the Giant can do—and the fantastic art and
animation. Beautiful backgrounds and equally beautiful characters make this the most amazing looking film since, well, since “The Phantom
Menace”. And the seamless blending of CGI with the traditional stuff will have you ceaselessly wiping the drool from your mouth.
As for the other elements: the voice acting was great, notable standouts are Eli Marienthal as Hogarth and Harry Connick, Jr. as Dean. The
musical score by Michael Kamen suited the film well, but I don’t think it really stood out. There weren’t any real themes, and I think think the
film would have benefitted from that. It’s a great score, don’t get me wrong, but I probably won’t buy the CD.
In conclusion, if you haven’t realized this so far, I am highly recommending “The Iron Giant”. I went into the film with the highest expectations
imaginable (well, maybe not “Phantom Menace” high, but darned close), and I was surprised again and again by the film’s beauty and respect
for it’s characters, story, and the medium of animation. Don’t let this one slip by, because, well, maybe I’m still excited, and maybe I’ve seen
“The Phantom Menace” too many times (seven), but I’m going to call this the best film I’ve seen this year. Just don’t hold me to that after I’ve
seen “Eyes Wide Shut” and “Princess Mononoke”.
The Feral Kid
And here is Stone Cold Mike's look at THE IRON GIANT...
I just saw the WB film "The Iron Giant" today at the Los Angeles Comic
Book and Scifi Convention.
I have to say I did read a review on your site. Someone said that it
was really good, with a lot of heart. So needless to say I didn't go in
thinking I was going to like it. I have to say I was stunned. It was
one of the best movies I have seen all year. I am a 27 year old guy.
This movie brought a tear to my eye(I'm not a rapper by trade). It was
funny, the story was well written, the animation was great. I was
totally suprised. I am a big supporter of any studio that wants to run
the animation gauntlet with those pricks at Disney. Hats off to a fine
feature that even leaves open room for a sequel.
Please post this review. I blush like a school girl when I see my name
on a site.
And that's the bottom line because Stone Cold Mark said SO!
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