High-art, thy name is Iron Giant

Rating: 6/10 (15 March 2001)

"The Iron Giant" had to be the best of the first three WB animated movies. I liked the flawed but enjoyable "Quest for Camelot", (hadn't seen the WB animated "King and I", was that movie any good?) but "Iron Giant" is now the one to best.
The story involves a young boy named Hogarth Hughes (voiced by Eli Marienthal) who likes science-fiction, late night movies and MAD magazine, and later, befriends a 100-foot tall, metal munching machine, and needs keep him safe from those may report him. Meanwhile, Agent Kent Mansley (Christopher McDonald) is aware of a giant metal beast and believes it might be a threat (designed by who? The Chinese? The Russians? Martians? Who?)
It's not a silly little kids' movie. It's one the whole family will grow into liking. Also, I can't picture Disney making this movie, at least, not w/o (some or any of) the following: retro '50's stuff (ie. sock hops), Hogarth wanting to hide the giant and impress a girl he has a crush on, Hogarth having an obligatory comic relief in the form of a pet (his mom doesn't want one) and presence of heart. All current Disney movies seem to have all of the first three, but none of the last one.

What angers me, though, is the fact this movie bombed at the box office. I hate it whenever an animated flick bombs just because it seems like the only reason being is it wasn't made by either Disney or DreamWorks. Maybe if only a LITTLE bit more advertising was put in...
However, I contain boasting rights to this movie. In August of 1999, I could've been a sucker for hype and Happy Meals. I COULD'VE seen the snoozefest "Blair Witch Project". I COULD'VE paid for that Happy Meal disaster "Disney's Inspector Gadget". What did I pay for? WB's "The Iron Giant". And I know I got my money's worth. If you haven't seen it, my suggestion is to buy it.
Rating: 12 out of 10