What if a gun suddenly developed a soul? What if it started to question
its place in the world? What if it learned to love?
Those are the questions brought up by the movie "Iron Giant",
and a more wonderful movie could hardly be demanded. Parents are always
bemoaning the sad condition of modern children's fare, yet they stayed
away from "Iron Giant" in droves while flocking to movies
like "Flubber". Why? Maybe because this one did not bear
the Disney mark of so-called quality. I don't know.
The story of "Iron Giant" is set in the 50's. Nuclear paranoia
is widespread and the entire country is on the verge of panic. Even
the small town of Rockwell, Maine, is not immune to the atomic hysteria
of the nation. Into this town drops a huge, iron man with a taste
for metal. One night after the metal man has eaten the family's TV
antenna, young Hogarth Hughes follows the metal man's tracks into
the woods and comes face to face with this gentle giant. The two of
them soon develop a friendship. After all, what kid wouldn't want
their own enormous pet robot?
But soon, a government agent is sent to the town to investigate the
strange goings on. The agent has Commies on the brain and sees the
Iron Giant as a threat, a danger, a weapon sent to destroy the American
way of life. He means to find the robot, destroy it, and get a promotion.
Oh, and defend the safety of Americans everywhere.
This film is a wonderful parable, one of the better animated films
to come out in a while. The animation is beautiful. It is lifelike,
very well drawn and it has a personality. The story is very compelling.
You need not be an appreciator of fine animation, or a kid, to be
drawn into this clever parable. Although kids will have fun watching
it. As I said before, what kid wouldn't want their own giant robot
for a pet? And as the film goes on, you may find yourself caring about
these animated people more than you care about the people in most
live-action films.
Now that is something of an achievement.
This film was made by Brad Bird, a veteran of "The Simpsons",
and there are many little comic touches that help to illustrate that.
Especially the "Duck and Cover" film that the kids watch
in a classroom. It also was made by Warner Brothers, rather than Disney.
As a result, there wasn't a lot of expectation for this movie. I know
that I didn't expect a great deal from it. It also means that all
the standard Disney touches are not on display here, and I found that
refreshing. There are no cutesy, wisecracking, animal sidekicks. There
are no big musical interludes that are getting worse with each subsequent
Disney endeavor. All this film has to boast is a great deal of heart,
and a solid story very solidly told.
In the end, I think you will find these virtues to be more than enough
to make "Iron Giant" a winner.
