The Iron Giant

THE IRON GIANT
WARNER BROS
RELEASED 17 December 1999

On the 4th of October 1957, the USSR launched Sputnik and the space race had begun. In the small American town of Rockwell, single mother Annie Hughes (voiced by Jennifer Anniston) is struggling to put food on the table for her nine-year-old son Hogarth (voiced by Eli Marienthal). When a local fisherman comes into the diner telling a tall tale of a huge metal man falling into the sea, only Hogarth pursues the story. One night he finds and befriends the mysterious 50-foot robot with an insatiable appetite for metal and a childlike thirst for knowledge. With the help of his beatnik friend Dean (voiced by Harry Connick Jnr.) Hogarth hides the giant. But rumoured sightings of the giant soon reach Washington and it’s not long before the authorities are closing in. Up till now only Disney have been able to pull off successful animated films but the home of the ‘toon has beaten the house of the mouse at it’s own game. Based on Ted Hughes famous ‘Iron Man’ book, The Iron Giant focuses on the paranoia of the early Cold War years and fear of the unknown. The script is funny and heartfelt, there are no forgettable songs from middle-of-the-road musicians, and the animation of the characters, especially the big guy (an cartoon-styled CGI creation), is perfect. Unlike Ted Hughes original book, this iron giant has been given a terrible purpose which becomes apparent and significant towards the end of the film. Take the kids, or if you don’t have any go anyway because this genuinely is a film for young and old.

The best animated film ever.

FIVE OUT OF FIVE