The Iron Giant (1999)
In 1968, poet and children's writer Ted Hughes wrote The Iron Man, which since became a classic piece of English literature. Since then, it was made into a concept album by Pete Townshend of The Who, who realised it as a musical. Then it briefly played on stage, it was later picked up by Warner Bros. as a film, but they weren't gonna do it as a musical, they were gonna make an animated film of the book. But, what came about was a work of genius, better than anything Disney has recently churned out. Hitting all the right targets, and with an engaging story to it. The Iron Giant (1999), is one of cinema's best kept secrets, which appeals to both kids and adults. The story is set in 1957, in Rockwell, Maine, where an apparant meteor has landed off the coast of this port town. But, it turns out this apparant meteor is the Iron Giant, a 50-foot tall robot, (voiced by Vin Diesel). He is discovered by young Hogarth Hughes, a boy who lives with his mother. Hogarth and The Iron Giant become friends, and develop a special bond. But, at the same time, it has attracted the attention of the US secret service, with agent Kent Mansley sent to Rockwell to investigate. Hogarth has to keep The Iron Giant secret from everyone, but with the country paranoid about the Cold War, how can you keep something like this secret. The film is a masterpiece of storytelling, and it's beautifully animated as well, capturing the era of 1950's America perfectly, even the old cautionary instructional "Duck and Cover" films are recreated perfectly. Giving the sense to the Western world that something bad might happen. But, it's influence comes from sci-fi films of the era, which made for cheesy but enjoyable viewing in cinemas or on TV. The film was the directorial debut for Brad Bird, who had worked on TV shows like The Simpsons and King of the Hill throughout the 1990's, before graduating to feature films with this. So far, he's been successful, and he later hit the jackpot over at Pixar with the tremendous success of The Incredibles (2004) and Ratatouille (2007). When released, The Iron Giant gathered glowing reviews worldwide, but unfortunately, Warner Bros. didn't exactly promote it as well as they should have, and it was a shocking flop. Luckily, finding an audience when it came out on video. When it should have been as successful as any other animated film out then. It delivers a story and captures emotions better than Disney ever could. As for the ending, if you don't have a tears in your eyes by the climax, you quite obviously have a heart of stone.
Anyone seen this film?? You should do, if you're sick of the tripe that passes for family films today, I suggest you take a gander at this, it's well worth watching. It's a film with a message, one which Hogarth tells The Iron Giant, "Guns kill". We later learn what The Iron Giant is, and why he might have come to the planet, but it was the curiousness of a young boy that gave him feelings. It really is a touching film, with quirky humour and real heart.
In 1968, poet and children's writer Ted Hughes wrote The Iron Man, which since became a classic piece of English literature. Since then, it was made into a concept album by Pete Townshend of The Who, who realised it as a musical. Then it briefly played on stage, it was later picked up by Warner Bros. as a film, but they weren't gonna do it as a musical, they were gonna make an animated film of the book. But, what came about was a work of genius, better than anything Disney has recently churned out. Hitting all the right targets, and with an engaging story to it. The Iron Giant (1999), is one of cinema's best kept secrets, which appeals to both kids and adults. The story is set in 1957, in Rockwell, Maine, where an apparant meteor has landed off the coast of this port town. But, it turns out this apparant meteor is the Iron Giant, a 50-foot tall robot, (voiced by Vin Diesel). He is discovered by young Hogarth Hughes, a boy who lives with his mother. Hogarth and The Iron Giant become friends, and develop a special bond. But, at the same time, it has attracted the attention of the US secret service, with agent Kent Mansley sent to Rockwell to investigate. Hogarth has to keep The Iron Giant secret from everyone, but with the country paranoid about the Cold War, how can you keep something like this secret. The film is a masterpiece of storytelling, and it's beautifully animated as well, capturing the era of 1950's America perfectly, even the old cautionary instructional "Duck and Cover" films are recreated perfectly. Giving the sense to the Western world that something bad might happen. But, it's influence comes from sci-fi films of the era, which made for cheesy but enjoyable viewing in cinemas or on TV. The film was the directorial debut for Brad Bird, who had worked on TV shows like The Simpsons and King of the Hill throughout the 1990's, before graduating to feature films with this. So far, he's been successful, and he later hit the jackpot over at Pixar with the tremendous success of The Incredibles (2004) and Ratatouille (2007). When released, The Iron Giant gathered glowing reviews worldwide, but unfortunately, Warner Bros. didn't exactly promote it as well as they should have, and it was a shocking flop. Luckily, finding an audience when it came out on video. When it should have been as successful as any other animated film out then. It delivers a story and captures emotions better than Disney ever could. As for the ending, if you don't have a tears in your eyes by the climax, you quite obviously have a heart of stone.
Anyone seen this film?? You should do, if you're sick of the tripe that passes for family films today, I suggest you take a gander at this, it's well worth watching. It's a film with a message, one which Hogarth tells The Iron Giant, "Guns kill". We later learn what The Iron Giant is, and why he might have come to the planet, but it was the curiousness of a young boy that gave him feelings. It really is a touching film, with quirky humour and real heart.