JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonIron Giant (1999)-Footage Included
December 15th 2006 01:41
Iron Giant
DVD Cover
Novel:Ted Hughes
“A peaceful, uneventful day in a town much like your own. Then suddenly, without warning...Atomic Holocaust” - Narrator
Gorgeous to look at, Iron Giant is a retro, 1950’s style science fiction adventure, self aware and lovingly treated with care.
The film wears its heart and influences on its sleeve. Harking back to silver screen classics like The Day the Earth Stood Still and The Blob, told through modern eyes to captivate audiences of all ages.
Based on the Ted Hughes classic sci fi novel The Iron Man, animation god Brad Bird (The Incredibles, The Simpsons) brings the sources massive heart and timely message to a whole new generation.
“If we don't stand up for the kooks, who will?” - Dean
It is the dawn of the space race, the cold war is at its height and a UFO shoots through outer space, crash landing in the centre of the ocean.
Raised in small town USA by his single mother Annie, (Jennifer Anniston) young Hogarth is a dreamer. A smart boy, who means well but lets his imagination run wild and problems usually follow.
One night Hogarth sneaks out with his BB gun and a flash light to explore the forest around his house. Suddenly, the earth shakes, trees bend and rising from the darkness a 50 ft tall metal robot stumbles into a power station.
Saving the chrome ones life, the two become friends. They may speak different languages and be from different worlds, but the bond between the two becomes unbreakable.
Meanwhile government agents are poking around, they suspect an alien intruder has come to take over the earth, or worse still the Russians.
“Frankly, I'm not at liberty to divulge the particulars of the agency I work for, and all that that implies.” – Kent Mansley
As the paranoia increases and the determination of the military grows, Hogarth must try to hide his oversized pal and learn an important lesson about the violent nature of man kind.
“It's bad to kill. Guns kill. And you don't have to be a gun. You are what you choose to be. You choose. Choose.” - Hogarth
A rare rest break for a rejected Transformer.
John Doe says:
Pleasing to the eye and feeding the imagination Iron Giant makes you laugh, think and reflect. A moving experience, that delights with its sense of style, comic timing and sincere storytelling for any age.
Animation force Brad Bird’s (The Incredibles) career started with helming the Family Dog Episode of Steven Spielberg’s Amazing Stories. Moving on to be one of the major stylistic forces behind The Simpsons. Iron Giant was his hand drawn invitation to big screen success.
Colourful with a Beatniks eye for cool, there is an undeniable charm to the visual palette on display. The dialogue is crisp and the screenplay is balanced and will keep your spawn rivetted while you admire the skilful handling of the material.
The film resonates and you will find that it sneaks into your emotional ooze and invests you in the characters.
The voice work is of the highest standard and Vin Diesel (Pitch Black) as the Giant has never managed to top his work in this film.
Harry Connick Jnr is a personal fave of mine and the role of a beat junkyard artist fits him like the tailored suits he wears in the real world.
John Mahoney (Frasier), Cloris Leachman (High Anxiety), Chris McDonald (Quiz Show) and M Emmet Walsh (Blood Simple) all compliment there illustrated counterparts and bring them to life.
In a world of over abundant CG animated features this one isn’t afraid to salute the pencil driven heroes of yesteryear. An innate understanding of the medium, means that the film makers achieve a level of excellence that exceeds expectations.
I’m not one to shed a tear often in films, but Iron Giant touches me and I often find myself dismayed at my girlie actions by the time the story concludes.
I really can’t say if this is more satisfying for adults or children, it nails both demographics completely. Certainly John Doe thinks it is required viewing over this holiday season, so don’t make him mad.
The DVD:
Transfer:1:85:1 Widescreen/5.1 Dolby Digital
Extras:Making of and Music Video.
I purchased this years ago on DVD and as usually happens a 2 disc special edition has been released. With an abundance of features, it includes commentary and a lot of detailed animated features, come to think of it I’m going to have to pick it up myself. Damn those rereleases.
Below is a fan made clip for the movie Iron Giant,accompanied by the thumping music of Korn.
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Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
damn, the commercials turned me off it - but I might have to check it out...
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Harry Connick steals it for me, plus the whole beatnik thing works a treat.
Cib,
Personally I adore this film, it is far more than a simple distraction but also works as entertainment if thats all your look for. Oh and as i said the retro flavoured look (which Im a sucker for) just sucks you in.
Great storytelling.