The Iron Giant

Animated movies have long been looked down upon as a genre for kids, Director Brad Bird as always insisted that animation is not a genre of film making but a medium of storytelling, and with Iron Giant, he proves that animation is not simply a style choice, but a wonderful tool to tell an even more wonderful story. America is gripped by fear of the red menace; having recently launched the satellite sputnik has the entire nation on alert. Into this fearful land a giant iron man has fallen from space. Government Agent Mansley arrives from Washington to investigate reports of strange activity; enormous bites have been taken out of cars and metal structures, fearing a soviet device Agent Mansley hunts for the intruder The great metallic monstrosity is discovered by a young boy, who recues the iron man for certain death. A young boy unfortunately named Hogarth, having being raised by his mother, skipped ahead in school and left to his own imagination for company having tried squirrels and raccoons for companionship much to the dismay of his mother. The iron giant follows him home like a gigantic steel puppy. The two become fast friends, the giant having been damaged in his fall from stars, mimicking and learning from his human companion. The new friends find shelter at local scrap yard and home of beatnik artist Dean McCoppin; the three have great adventures and form a fast friendship. Hogarth has found the friends he always missed. Hiding beneath his childlike attitude, the giant conceals a great destructive power; he is an impressive weapon from another world. He does not stay hidden forever and soon the United States army arrives to stop the perceived Russian threat. There aggression awakens the great power within the steel monster, and in there rashness put them selves and the entire town at risk. Deep within the walking weapon, the goodness and heart imparted by Hogarth remains, the power of the human spirit fills the giant; he retains the lessons of his tiny friend. His nature is destruction but the heart and soul of a child has impacted his metallic mind. Seeing the town in danger the iron giant gives the greatest gift known to mankind, self sacrifice. A beautifully rendered colorful world, richly detailed and impressive crafted animation, a traditional style brought to life with incredible color and beauty, with computer effect peppered in for and astoundingly gorgeous film. Hogarth bounds with wonderful exuberance and the over active imagination of a child, Agent Mansley bumbles around with great comedic effect. Voice acting is top notch; Eli Marienthal is absolutely wonderful as Hogarth, capturing his energetic personality. A wonderfully warm and heartfelt film, it?s funny and exciting, imparting a clear well-meaning message of humanity. Brad Birds masterpiece will resonate with audiences for a long time, a classic story of the power of the human soul told with such magic and wonder in the medium of animation.