Starring: Eli Marienthal, Harry Connick Jr., Jennifer Aniston, Vin Diesel, James Gammon Directed By: Brad Bird Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) Binding: DVD Format: Anamorphic, Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Full Screen, Widescreen, NTSC Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: November 23, 1999 Running Time: 86 minutes Studio: Warner Home Video Theatrical Release Date: 1999
Amazon.com essential video: This gentle reworking of Ted Hughes's 1968 novella was the unseen gem of 1999. Hogarth, a young boy who lives in the Maine woods during the cold war, befriends a giant robot. As with E.T., the iron giant is a misunderstood outsider who becomes a child's best friend, and Hogarth does his best to hide the massive figure from his mom (voiced by Jennifer Aniston) and the local scrap-yard beatnik (Harry Connick Jr.). Soon the suspicions of neighbors and a government agent (Christopher McDonald) spell trouble.
With no songs, no sidekicks, and no cheap ending, The Iron Giant is a refreshing change-- like an off-Broadway production compared to the glitz of Disney's annual animated extravaganzas. Director Brad Bird may have Family Dog and The Simpsons to his credit, but this film doesn't have that brand of scatological humor. As with the best family entertainments, there are gags that adults will howl at while the kids are watching something else (see Bird's interpretation of cold war propaganda). And the star is one cool piece of animated magic. Voiced by Vin Diesel (Saving Private Ryan's hulking Private Caparzo) and filled with more gadgets than a Swiss army knife, the giant is a grand thing to behold. And like another famous cinema tin man, our hero--and the movie--has heart. Superb entertainment for ages 5 and up. --Doug Thomas
Description: Something humongous is among us! A young boy rescues a huge robot which has rocketed to earth from space - and tries to protect the genial giant from a nosey government agent and the military. A captivating animated feature that's part metal, part magic and all heart.
DVD Features: DVD ROM Features Documentary Music Video Theatrical Trailer
Wonderful film for any age! ^ This is a movie many people have never heard of, let alone seen in the theater, and that's a shame. Set in the cold war 1950s, The Iron Giant is a beautifully animated movie that has heart, humor, imagination, action and adventure. The voice talent is top-notch, the storytelling original, and the picture and sound superb. It's the kind of movie adults and kids can enjoy together. I only wish it were available on blu-ray. Don't miss it, and remember "duck and cover"!
Great Movie For All Ages ^ This movie grabbed me immediately. I don't even really get into the kids movies, but happened to be in the room when it was playing and had to sit down and watch the rest. Since then I have bought two copies of the movie. Second was a replacement for the one my toddler had his way with. Definitely worth a watch.
Great movie ^ This film has a great plot and is beautifully done. The beatnik character isn't overdone and the government agent is. All set during the 1950s this one is really great to watch.
Great Movie for kids ^ I bought this movie on a fluke years ago on VHS. It was in a Wal-mart bin for $5 so I thought what the heck. What a great buy. My grandkids watch it over and over again. Even my hubby and myself enjoy watching it. We finally broke down and purchased it from Amazon in DVD since we are getting rid of our VHS player. There are some parts that are a bit frightening for really little children but they turn out well in the end.
A Truly Amazing Animated Film ^ I was around four years old when this movie came to theatres and I still remember seeing it (honestly as a four year old I didn't even want to go to see it, my mom dragged me because she was (and still is) obsessed with Harry Connick Jr. Geez as a four year old I loved it. I'm so glad that it's on dvd, I'm fifteen now and I still watch it all the time. It's a great movie for almost all ages, and I think it'll surprise you.
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