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
This was so ignored in theatres... I fell in love with this precocious little boy and his iron alien friend the first time my family saw it in theatres. So of course I had to have the special edition DVD, bought cheaply because, for some odd reason, the uncultured masses have no appreciation for this story.
Trust me. Pop this into the DVD player and enjoy one of the most magical movies to come along in a while.
Set during the Cold War, this is the story of young Hogarth Hughes who is not only cursed with that awful name but a gifted mind that has popped into an older grade where he is tormented by bullies. His single mom works as a waitress, so Hogarth is pretty much on his own until an adventure leads him to discover a giant robot that happens to have no idea why he is there. What he is? Where did he come from? What is his mission? Such questions are thrown to the back as Hogarth makes his first real friend and is lead on a myriad of further adventures. As for the Giant, does his purpose matter in comparison to what he wants for himself?
These themes are explored through some truly three-dimensional characters: Hogarth's mom (voiced wonderfully by the lovely Jennifer Aniston), a local junk artist/beatnik, a villainous government agent sent to see what all the fuss is.
This movie is an emotional and animation gem that is so underappreciated it's not funny.
Awesome Movie Buy this and you will be pleased. To think it is unknown by so many. A great movie. The whole family can watch.
Holds up. I saw this movie a few years ago and forgot about it. I saw that Amazon had it for a great price so I ordered it for my nephew and he loves it. He is going to be 8 years old and my sister called me the other day to tell me that he loves the movie and has watched it many times already. for the price i would recomend that anyone who buys this DVD from Amazon should buy the Special Edition
One of the best kids movies out there!! This is actually my second purchase because my kids literally wore out the first one from playing it so much. I even like the movie.
Superb.... I bought this for my niece and she watches it everyday. I believe there is a small wonderful message in this video that could benefit all children and maybe even a few adults !!
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Tailipoe
Trevor
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