Do Astro Boy’s jets help the boy robot fly high or did the film crash-land in the US?
Ron Hogan found out…
Astro Boyis one of Japans most famous exports to the world.
It became a television series first in 1963, and has been in development in Hollywood since 1999.
Jim Henson Productions and Sony had a shot at it.
Genndy Tartakovsky has been attached to it, as have several other prominent animators.
Ten years later, here it is.
One of the most famous manga in history has its big screen rebirth.
Dr. Tenma (Nicolas Cage) is the head of the Ministry of Science.
The plot is your standard superhero origin story.
This isnt really a plot movie; this is an action movie for kids.
Theres a lot of movement, and, most of the time, a lot of energy.
Even when theres nothing going on plot-wise, theres something going on visually to keep the eyes busy.
Other moments, particularly involving General Stone, are meant to be funny but land with a serious thud.
General Stone himself is kind of a thud, in fact.
ForAstro Boy, that element is the completely over-the-top George W. Bush parody character of General Stone.
I get it, you dont like him.
If not for those issues,Astro Boywould be just a fun romp for the kids.
But you watch the movie they make, not the movie you want them to make.
Find more by Ron at his blog,Subtle Bluntnessand daily atShaktronicsandPopFi.
Rating:
3 out of 5
