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Moriarty takes his microscope and precision scales to the workings of THE IRON GIANT

Hell Yeah! by Mulch1	Feb 2nd, 1999 01:16:17 AM
Hey, I did it! I was the first poster! "Today(today), I declare myself(declare myself) the luckiest man(the luckiest man) on the face(on the face) of the Earth (of the Earth)." Anyway, Warner Bros. You here about that "Batman and Superman: World's Finest" proposal that Coming Attractions is reporting about that may or may not have happened? If Richard Donner didn't propose that, he ought to. That would make us geeks forget all about Batman & Robin and Superman Lives (I'm tryin ma, but i can't shake the vision of Batman endorsing credit cards). Ok, Warner Bros has a chance to pull themselves out of the shit-filled hole they dug themselves in, and World's Finest with Donner can do that. Eyes Wide Shut, Wild Wild West, The Iron Giant, and World's Finest. If done right, this can be big for WB. If they fuck up like I expect them to, well maybe they should stick to television. Although, hey WB, make a Buffy movie. Pwease!!!!!!
About time by Evil Dead	Feb 2nd, 1999 01:28:33 AM
I agree with Mulch's many responses. I can't wait for Iron Giant. I'm on an animation rush right now, with Mulan coming out in a couple of hours. I hope Iron Giant can be the hit WB animation needs. There only good stuff has been they're T.V. shows(I thought Batman: Subzero was great though). Plus with the knowledge that the Animaniacs movie is going straight to video Iron Giant may be the deciding factor as to the future of WB Animation.
Let's Try This... by Moriarty	Feb 2nd, 1999 03:19:42 AM
"Moriarty" here. This comment is directed at Lane Myers and the others who will inevitably use this Talk Back to take myriad pot shots at Warner. Yes... they have made a lot of mistakes recently, but if we want to see them handle this film and others like it better than they have, then the way to bring that about isn't to call them names and to make the standard eighth-grade cracks. We need to tell them what we want and encourage them to treat us better. If we use this forum as a dialogue, there's a chance they'll listen. If we just use this forum to bash them, then they're going to turn a deaf ear, and who can blame them? "Moriarty" out.
The WB by Everett Robert	Feb 2nd, 1999 07:39:33 AM
While in the past I'll admit I flamed Warners for some pretty stupid moves(noteable Batman and Robin), they have made or distrubited some brillent moves too, including the Oscar push for LA CONFEDINTIAL(even if they didn't market it to the general public) and this years ZERO EFFECT. I hope they do IRON GIANT justice, sounds like a great piece of movie making, here's hoping That The WB can and will continue to let this piece of work work...Good Job Moriartiy and alerating us on this movie and how we can hlep to make it work and your suggestions on how to market it and when to show it...good job
Neon Is Closing by MR BRIDGER	Feb 2nd, 1999 09:09:01 AM
I wanted to bring to everyones attention, a tragedy that's occuring here in the UK. This month we are losing what I, and many of my mates, think is the best movie magazine around. The last issue of Neon is being published this month, they are closing because the mag has missed it's circulation target by a relatively measly 10,000 sales. There must be something we can do, because Neon is the only publication that not only extensively covers ALL forms of movie making, without bias and with irreverence, and they don't fall at the knees of the studios. PLEASE e-mail EMAP Publications now about this total injustice, or we are going to lose an invaluable mag produced by a team who are as fanatical about movies as we are. ACT NOW!
High hopes... by Prankster	Feb 2nd, 1999 10:01:16 AM
I actually read the book as a kid, and it still stays with me (the plot could be better, but the pictures and evocative mood of the writing are fantastic). It's basically a neo-futurist fairy tale, sort of like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Anyway, combine this great subject matter with Brad Bird, who I believe is one of the unheralded geniuses of animation, and the WB animation team, which has a long and noble tradition and has achieved greatness in the recent past, and you have the making of a FNATASTIC flick. Even if WB buries this film, even if it makes $4.50 (my $4.50), I will still be glad that it was released. At no point in even the most pessimistic parts of Moriarty's report does it sound like this movie's going to be reedited or changed. Anyway, if it makes it to the screen intact, that'll be enough for me. Others can discover it later (the way some people are discovering another WB-released animated film, Cat's Don't Dance). Anyway, with even Disney moving away from the Disney formula, surely WB wouldn't be so daft as to bend this movie into the same tired old format.
Releasing Iron Giant against Tarzan by neuracnu	Feb 2nd, 1999 10:30:23 AM
I agree that Iron Giant probably will be a better movie than Tarzan, but get real! Unless WB pulls some kind of marketing magic trick out of their pocket, any kids movie they stand up against Disney will get run over. It doesn't matter which one is better, and it doesn't matter which one kids want to see. In the parent's eyes (the ones paying for the tickets, popcorn and candy), cartoon = 90 minute babysitter. Disney = good 90 minute babysitter. Period. It's sad.
calling all geeks! by superstar	Feb 2nd, 1999 10:37:35 AM
dear geeks, this is unrelated but i need to tap some geek grey matter. Why are supernatural thrillers making a comeback (Blair Witch, End of Days, Stigmata, etc, etc)? Never mind millenial fever, what's it all about? Anyone got any probing insights or analysis they wanna throw in the ring? Go to it, geeks!
TERRY FLIPPO did it better! by mckracken	Feb 2nd, 1999 11:08:20 AM
now I KNOW no one has heard of Terry Flippo. He wrote and drew a slef published four issue mini-series that was called Axel & Alex, then republished it as a trade paperback with an INCREDIBLY small print run last year. I got one and IT ROCKS!! Iron Giant sounds suspiciously like this four issue comic book mini series from Terry Flippo... by the way, this series hasnt stopped, he's hard at work on issue #5!! GO TERRY!
The Iron Man (or Giant, in this case) by Achilles	Feb 2nd, 1999 11:18:58 AM
It's great to know that someone has finally made a movie out of this great book. As a big Townshend fan, I only read the book after his album came out. It is a great example of an adult-themed children's book. Hughes was an immensely talented but widely reviled man (it was he who drove Sylvia Plath to commit suicide when he was married to her). I am hoping that they keep the theme of the book intact, that of the Iron Man's loneliness and his one desire to find a friend (and the hurt that he suffers at the hands of others, merely because he is different). I also hope that they stay true to the story in terms of the finale, which I won't give away...
Thanks for the info... by Bundren	Feb 2nd, 1999 11:18:58 AM
This is why I visit this sight: to hear about upocoming movies and projects that I should watch out for on my radar. You've gotten me excited about seeing this film(which I'd never heard of before) and in the process, you do a nice job of explaining what's wrong with animation films today. I certainly hope that "Iron Giant" is an antidote to the Disney formula that no one seems brave enough to break.
nix on Williams by larickman	Feb 2nd, 1999 12:36:46 PM
Moriarty, you are pretty much right on with everything except the John Williams bit. His work has become so derivative and generic that his scores are interchangable between pix. No one would know the difference. A more progressive score is called for here.
best pitch by carbone1138	Feb 2nd, 1999 02:20:15 PM
you think john williams is interchangeable?how bout danny elfman?he hasnt done anything different since oingo boingo.and here is the best pitch for 99. don swayze,frank stallone and chad lowe in "oh i thought you were someone else"
thanks for bringing this to my attention by rhsc77	Feb 2nd, 1999 03:46:15 PM
Nice. I like the way this sounds. Im familiar with the novel and the album, but I did not know an animated film was coming out. With an auspicious team like that, Warners should be putting some marketing muscle behind it. One note though, I think Danny Elfman is a better choice for the score, as long as the songs dont get treacly like some were in Nightmare B4 Xmas. Keep up the good work! Later SC
my five cents by MIA006	Feb 2nd, 1999 06:25:33 PM
Am I the only one who hasn't heard of this book or album before? Anyway this sounds awesome and I do have some faith in Warner Bros. Creative faith anyway, not marketing faith. Their marketing campaign killed the ultra cool Negotiator so it can kill anything. Anyway, this post has made me want to see this movie.
my five cents by MIA006	Feb 2nd, 1999 06:25:45 PM
Am I the only one who hasn't heard of this book or album before? Anyway this sounds awesome and I do have some faith in Warner Bros. Creative faith anyway, not marketing faith. Their marketing campaign killed the ultra cool Negotiator so it can kill anything. Anyway, this post has made me want to see this movie.
Danny Elfman? Forget it. by Maruku	Feb 2nd, 1999 09:47:02 PM
Danny Elfman reminds me of a subwoofer a friend of mine purchased from Best Buy without doing research on the net to make sure he wasn't making a poor decision. It can be pretty loud, but not without clipping, and it suffers from the common problem known as a "one-note Tommy". That's my way of saying that I'd rather not hear another gear-factory polka score. It would be nice to have Williams do the score, but he may be tied up with more important jobs so it's probably not realistic to anticipate his participation in this project. (In all fairness, however, I must admit that if it were a choice between Elfmand and Horner, I'd be rooting for Elfman, as I have a low opinion of anyone who would steal music from 2001 for Aliens and then use the same cue again in Clear and Present Danger).
Zero effect... by Dodgy	Feb 3rd, 1999 05:42:14 AM
Warners did Zero effect??? That explains why it didn't get national distribution over here in the UK. Loads of magazines raved on it and I was really looking forward to it, and then warners goes and gives it a limited release (which usually means just London :(
Warner Bros vs. Disney by Tides	Feb 3rd, 1999 06:52:16 AM
It does not matter how good a movie is, pitting it against an animiated Disney film is suicide. Disney has the name recognition that will bring families to the theater in droves, no matter how fluffy the movie is, parents think, "if it's Disney the kids will love it." WB does not have the same power at all. It hasn't turned out the greatest movies lately (and that's being kind) and even its television station isn't exactly kid friendly. Let Iron Giant enter theaters without competition so that it will get an automatic audience of parents desperate for a movie to take their kids to. Then word of mouth will build and Warner Brothers will finally have an animated blockbuster on their hands to rival Disney.
Anime rip-off by Channel_Z	Feb 3rd, 1999 11:42:32 AM
I've seen art from Iron Giant at trade shows, and to me it looks like a rip-off of the Japanese anime OAV series Giant Robo, which was itself an homage to the old Gigantor. This is just like when Disney ripped off Kimba the White Lion and called it the Lion King. Do we really need this? What's next, Dreamwork's rip-off of Space Cruiser Yamato, or maybe Pixar's take on Sailor Moon? Yawn...This is gonna be a big snoozer.
Iron Giant by SBK	Feb 3rd, 1999 07:43:25 PM
I was thrilled to read Moriarty's commentary. Who cares if Warner Bros. is a wimp, they are sitting on one of the best animated features I've ever seen, that is what matters. My mother who is working on this film is the happiest she's been in years with the material she has to stare at every day. Probably the first movie I'm not embarresed to say she has worked on. I to have dreams the studio will get its head out of its "you-know-what" and COMMIT to this film. Of course I doubt this will ever happen. But I am glad someone is telling them they are INSANE for not doing so.
A step back into reality by Suprachu	Feb 4th, 1999 12:52:41 PM
Of all the reviews I have read on this sight over the past year and 1/2 - very few have been so lucid, so insightful, while sticking to Harry's philosophy of non-interventionist reviewing. My appetite is whet for this brave step in animated cinema, however we must remember with whom were dealing. This is Warner Bros. a studio that has run many a promising project into the cold dark earth. Though I agree that in a perfect world - a studio so down on its luck should press - double down even, by attempting to butt heads with the Disney juggernaut this upcoming summer season - and get paid off in spades with an animation mutiny of sorts - throngs of youngsters and youngsters at heart jumping the Disney ship to the sleeker more aesthetically pleasing vessel on the basis of a call to arms of sorts - a rip roaring trailer. But alas, I feel that it would spell doom. If we've learned anything over the past year - there maybe a magical 216 digit number - an equation not unlike that being sought after by the young mister Cohen in Aaron Aronofsky's masterpiece. There is a pattern forming, look at Antz - Bugs life - or Deep Impact - Armageddon- let the masses cut their teeth on the more slovenly product, then pounce after1 1/2 months and reap the rewards of an audience primed for such a taste. Prince of Egypt - had it not had the legs it ended up having - would have been a major dissapoinment - SKG struck too soon after Bugs Life and its opening weekend numbers suffered heavily.(take at look on showbizdata's archives) TIMING IS CRUCIAL - and if WB were to release this too soon after Tarzan - it will falter - no doubt in my mind. 6 weeks 6weeks I say to let the huddled masses get reaquainted with animation set in another time - then strike just as the sharks are ready for another circle.
Sounds Sweet Elfman is bonus by goonies8	Feb 4th, 1999 05:17:40 PM
This movie sounds like it could be one of the top animated by the way you described it. First off, anything to do with the Simpsons or anyone who works on it is golden in my book, and an animated story with a good story and no musical numbers is a nice topper. And if Danny Elfman does the score it would just be the perfect animated.
too late? by anakin78z	May 8th, 1999 06:20:48 PM
I'm sure that no one is going to read this comment, because it's writtien some 3 months after Moriarties review. But on the off chance, here's what I have to say: It's really sad to see that of the attempts to give this movie some rectognitions failed. It's now May 8, and untill about 20 minutes ago, I've never even heard about this movie, and I'm an animation student! Then again, I've been staying away from anything that has WB written on it. Seriously, if they want this to be a success, hide the fact that Warner worked on it, and give it some studio name. After Quest for Camelot (shiver) and now King and I, I think that anyone would rather sit at home and count the cracks in the ceiling before going to see another WB animation. That's not true of course. Anyone who reads articles like this one, might get interested enough to put forward the $8 to see the movie. But chances are that the parrents who had to sit through that abomination they called Quest for Camelot, wont think that this one will be any better. On a second note, I'd just like to confirm that no matter what they do, Disney will always come out on top. Proof: Pocahontas. I found this movie so bad, I din't bother to watch it all the way. And yet, I'm sure it still met all expectations and made children and parents all over happy. Yuck. P.S. Wiliams or Elfman, either way it's going to be great
Vin Diesel as a robot. Perfect! by Wolfpack	Jul 2nd, 2006 07:40:53 AM

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Moriarty takes his microscope and precision scales to the workings of THE IRON GIANT

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