Beyond the animation standards

Rating: 10/10 (22 January 2000)

Animation today seems to be focused on grabbing the attention of both children and adults. The fact is most kids going to see a movie are going to see it with their parents, so it makes sense. There are pop culture references, and jokes strewn about movies that fly over the kids heads, but keep the adults entertained while struggling through the movie. But as of late I've found that all the kids get out of the movie is funny looking characters doing funny looking things, and all of the dialogue is centered on the adults. The reason for this is the idea that kids don't get it. Some movie makers think that movies with adult themes will be too much for the child, and in turn stupify the movie. Once this is done they have to fill it up with silly references and jokes that the parents will like. The end result is a less than entertaining film. Then there are the movies that say "screw it all" and actually focus on making a good animated feature. The Secret of Nimb and The Black Cauldron, and now The Iron Giant are each excellent examples of this. The makers of these movies give the kids a chance to get what the movie is trying to say, and the kids do. The political undertones of the Iron Giant may not be something that the kids will relate to and say "oh look, a cold war metaphore" but they understand the story and plot, possibly better than those who see what this is all based on. Too add to everything, the animation in this film is fantastic. Great film all around.