The Iron Giant: Review By moviegeek

Set in the politically-frightened world of the late 1950s, The Iron Giant tells the story of a humongous robot from outer space that lands off the coast of Maine. It was in this time period, in the rising tensions of the Cold War, that America was most fascinated (and terrified) with aliens from outer space and nuclear war. In the film, the townsfolk are hesitant to believe the outrageous claim of a giant robot. The Government is equally unconvinced, but Kent Mansley, an agent for the Government, jumps on the story, desperate to destroy this 'thing'.

Enter Hogarth Hughes, a young boy just growing into his adult teeth. The boy has a knack for finding wacky pets and trying to give them new homes, but none of them come close to the monstrosity that he finds in the woods. After he sees the gigantic robot destroy a power station, he figures no one will believe him. As Hogarth attempts to capture the robot in a picture, his terror turns to fascination. The robot begins to act inquisitively towards his actions. Hogarth is shocked to find out that he can communicate with the giant. Hogarth immediately begins to freak out. He, essentially, has befriended a giant alien robot!

The animation for this picture is astonishing--not because it's groundbreaking, but because of how perfectly it fits. The film looks more like a cartoon than a feature length, theatrical release, but it looks just right. The colors are bright and spirited; the animation is quick and sharp; the movements are smooth and unrestrained. The technology doesn't upstage the material behind it.

Director Brad Bird (who nowadays is wildly known for his work with Pixar's Ratatouille and The Incredibles) meticulously works through every scene to make it perfect. Each gesture and emotion transitions well with each scene. Never are there random outbursts of emotion (except with Hogarth's prayer at dinner--hilarious). Each character grows steadily. The film builds upon what has been established already without retreading information and feelings.

The Iron Giant is a multi-layered film that works on every level. First and foremost, it's a story about friendship. The whole film moves and flexes on the basis of this friendship. It starts softly, with the two associating and learning about each other. Then it picks up speed as the two experience new things together. The friendship reaches its essence with their sacrificial love and care for each other.

On a completely different level, the film works as a political parallel. How do we, as a people, react towards the different, the extreme? We just want to get rid of it. We like our security and we don't want risk losing it. Those two elements work for older audiences who recognized the political angles and have built longer friendships. But there is another layer that really works well for the younger audiences it is targeting--loneliness.

Hogarth is not popular. He has no friends. He has no father. His imagination is so wild that many kids just think he is weird. When he meets the Giant, something sparks between them. Both he and the Giant feel alone. No one truly gets them. As their friendship blooms, Hogarth grows individually as well. He begins to learn how their friendship isn't built on how they are similar, but instead, how they are different.

Take, as an example, the very best scene in the movie. It comes when the Giant first understands what death is. A deer is shot in the woods and the Giant kneels over and tries to awaken it. Hogarth tells him there is nothing he can do. We see the sadness in the Giant's eyes. He feels helpless and vulnerable. The scene immediately morphs into a hint at the Giant's true purpose, but what precedes that is perfect. The Giant and the boy learn and feel things together, both good and bad. But it's when the Giant feels most helpless, when HE is powerless, that he tightens the bond with the boy.

That was what Hogarth was missing. He felt that he couldn't find any friends because no one was like him and that, therefore, no one would like him. But by the film's end, he, and hopefully the younger viewers as well, learn that friendship isn't based on looking for similarities, but filling in the differences. You owe it to yourself to watch this gem of a film. In fact, watch it twice.