Not Just For The Kids...

Rating: 7/10 (11 February 2005)

THE IRON GIANT (3+ outta 5 stars) Fantastic animated movie about a young boy who forges a friendship with a giant metal robot that comes from outer space. It's the '50s and people are a little paranoid about all things being Communist plots... so his existence has to be kept a secret... especially when a zealous government agent comes to town and starts to believe some of the weird stories he keeps hearing about giant metal men. A convenient metal scrapyard run by a friendly Beatnik provides a great hiding place... but can he stay hidden when the US military comes out in full force to find him? Very well-done story... with a conclusion guaranteed to bring a tear to your eye. Voices provided by Vin Diesel (as the Giant), Jennifer Aniston (as the boy's single, working mom), M. Emmett Walsh, John Mahoney and Harry Connick, Jr. as The Beatnik). Written and directed by Brad Bird who has since gone on to bring "The Incredibles" to the screen.