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Studio: Warner Bros.
Producers: Allison Abate, Des McAnuff
Director: Brad
Bird
Screenplay:
Tim McCanlies, Andy Brent Forrester, Brad
Bird
Character Designer:
Tony Fucile
Animation Supervisor:
Tony Fucile
Score: Michael Kamen
Voice Cast:
Hogarth Hughes: Eli Marienthal
Annie Hughes: Jennifer Aniston
Dean McCoppen: Harry Connick Jr
Kent Masley: Christopher McDonald
Iron Giant: Vin Diesel
Earl: M. Emmet Walsh
The Teacher: Cloris Leachman
Army General: John Mahoney
Marv: James Gammon
Budget: $ 50 million
Domestic Release Date: August 6, 1999
Based upon the 1968 story, Iron Man,
by the laureate British poet Ted Hughes, Iron Giant is the story of a
lonley fatherless kid who ends up with an alien robot, who frightens a small
town in Maine in 1958, as his friend and companion when he finds its humanity,
and then saving the town's people of their fears and prejudices.
Production on this animated project began
on September 2nd, 1997 in Los Angeles.
Pete Townsend left the project as a producer
in the film.
When Brad Bird directed Family Dog, he had
Danny Elfman do the score. Although Elffman wanted to do it, he was too expensive,
so they tried to get Alan Silvestri as the composer. But finally, they declined
for Michael Kamen whose previous works include, Adventures of Baron Munchausen,
Dead Zone, Three Musketeers, Die Hard, Robin Hood Prince
of Thieves, Don Juan DeMarco, to name a few.
Joe Johnston did the early design work on
the Giant. He did the first drawings.
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Review by Kirk found at Ain't It Cool News:
I just had one of the greatest film experiences ever! This afternoon I had the pleasure to view a close to compelet print of Iron Giant and can safely say that, if warner Brothers markets it right, it will be their highest grossing film ever. The film not only restored my faith in the movie business (which I work in) but showed me the true potential of animation; it is not to clone Disney fairy tales, but rather to tell great, heart wrenching, inspirational and excting as hell stories such as Iron Giant. The humor, the characters (I thought the little boy was alive, and breahig) the script and the animation, along with one of the greatest final five minutes in film history, puts Iron Giant in the same category as Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Arc, Casablanca, Gone With The Wind, E.T., and Ben Hur, as entertainment masterpieces that shall live on forever. The irony is that, I bet Warner Brothers does not know what it has on its hands. To put it simply, IRON GIANT is why we all go to the movies.
--Kirk
Review by Crash found at Dark Horizons:
I was invited to a screening of The Iron Giant and had to report on the film. Just before the screening, one of the producers welcomed us and explained that the film still contained temp music, but was otherwise complete. How good is it? The screening was for a group of reporters in L.A. for the "Big Daddy" junket. It was a long day, we had already seen another movie and were very tired and still, at the end of the screening, there was a hearty round of applause. Quite simply, The Iron Giant is the best film I've seen so far this year. The animated feature, set in 1957 at the height of American Cold War hysteria, focuses around a young boy who discovers a 100 foot tall alien robot deep in the forest. A government investigator comes to investigate strange occurances in the area and ends up a border in the boy's home. I won't say anymore except that the story is a terrific adventure, with a sharp sense of humor, that captured the sense of wonder I had back when I was a boy. The retro-drawing style is outstanding and the robot looks absolutely fantastic. As for the characters, the boy is well-drawn and voiced, the G-Man (Christopher McDonald) is a paranoid hoot, and a local beatnik (Harry Connick Jr.) is nicely fleshed out. I wish they had gave the mother (Jennifer Aniston) more depth, but that's my only major quibble. The film is a delight and its message, in light of the recent US high school shooting tragedies, could not be more timely. I can hardly wait to see it again.
--Crash
Review by Sir Thanks-Alot found at Ain't It Cool News:
I saw Iron Giant over a month ago at a Warner Screening room in New York, and there was no pencil animation or signs of anything incomplete. Maybe this means they added stuff, which would be a mistake based on what I saw. I left it with the same exact feeling I had when I left E.T. at the tender age of 6 or that last frame of Babe. It was incredible, you just had to smile. I've been shouting "Superman!" ever since.
I have to admit that initially I wasn't impressed by the animation, but the film kind of sucks you in and progressively the animation becomes invisible and you're just watching these characters and "living" the Iron Giant. The Superman planting in there, goddamit, there hasn't been writing like that in a long time. One thing about good animation, as television animation like King Of The Hill and The Simpsons has shown us, is that there is an intense appreciation and attention to the writing -- I suppose because there has to be -- which gives a film like this real strength and discipline. There's also some pilfered Simpson jokes in there, which was interesting to see.
Last thing, depending on whether it was temp music or not, but the music I heard seemed very final and worked perfectly. Particularly the Superman theme at the end, at which point I lost it. They should leave it just like that. It is without question the best film of the year.
--Sir Thanks-Alot
Review by Eric Lurio:
Every now and then a film comes along which changes the landscape. Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey was one, Speilberg's Jaws and Wes Craven's Scream some others. The term used to describe these is "seminal." Nothing made afterwards will not have at least some influence by it. Add to this list an animated film called Iron Giant.
In 1989, Disney came out with a seminal film of it's own called The Little Mermaid. It made a ton of money and gave us what's called "The Disney Formula" which for some reason has been followed rather strictly for the past ten years.
Director Brad Bird and his crew have at last dispensed with this formula, producing an intelligent, whimsical fantasy, which while not wholly new [other animated films have been non musicals in recent years] is the breath of fresh air that the industry has been looking for so long. This is not only the best children's film since the first Babe, but the best animated film to ever come out of North America without the name "Disney" on it.
This is what might be termed a "mixed media" film. Most of the film is drawn in the traditional manner, but many elements, including the title character itself are computer generated. Unlike many other films of recent years, you can't tell where one begins and one ends. Tony Fucile, Steve Markowski and their crew have meshed the two techniques better anyone has ever done it. Everything looks like it's been painted for a uniform effect.
The style of artwork is Warners' Batman house style which actually works quite well.
But what makes this film special is the writing. Bird and Tim McCanlies have produced an Oscar-calibure script, with fully realized characters and careful plotting. Bird also has managed to inject lots of humor without making it look too cartoony. Something Disney can't even do.
The film is the story of a hundred foot tall monster from outer space. Falling from the sky in the middle of a hurricane in 1957, the Iron Giant (voiced by Vin Diesel) lands in the sea off the coast of Maine, where it sinks Marve Loach's (James Gammon) fishing boat. Marve calls the government and they send agent Kent Masley (Christopher McDonald) to investigate.
Also investigating is young Hogarth Hughes (Eli Marienthal), who has just discovered that his television aerial hasa been bitten off, thereby ruining his viewing of a really silly monster movie. He discovers that it eats metal, and follows it to the local electrical substation, where it is nearly electricuted and Hogarth saves it.
Thus begins a remarkable friendship, where the childlike robot is first hidden in the family barn and then in Dean McCoppen's (Harry Connick Jr) junk yard while agent Masley continues hot on the giant's trail.
Unlike most cartoon villains, Masley is not incompetent. Almost immediately he has ensconced himself in Hogarth's house [Mom (Jennifer Aniston) conveniently having a room to rent] and soon after the army is on it's way to Maine.
The climax is genuinely exiting and jerks more tears than most of Disney's recent output put together. This has everything but songs and is a must see for the summer and a must video as a stocking stuffer for the kids.
--Eric Lurio
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I call it "The movie with a heart". It is humanitarian and compassionate. It teaches a lesson about caring, and coming together as one world, regardless of our individuality. It is a movie that young and old would benefit from seeing. My daughter got it for christmas '00 for my eigth year old son and the giant has become his best friend. Unfortunately, I am having a difficult time finding toys. Thanks for reading.
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I'm with Matt Todd and Oscar Picker. The movie is outstanding and filled with friendship, self-sacrifice, love, non-violence, and unwaranted fear that controls the lives of people, politics and choices around the world. Now in a day and age when people are filled with greed, jealousy and desire for all materialistic. Where cell phones and leather jackets and expensive cars are more important to people than the plea by their own children to just be there a little while each day for play or conversation. This film tells a story that everyone should remember every moment of every day of their lives. The only thing that disappoints me is the comments by some of the women in their reviews here. Take your Vin Diesel comments somewhere else. This page is about a production, not a guy you want to mount you. Get a B.O.B. and keep it to yourself!
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Oh, man! I gotta tell ya, the movie rocks!! I just love the animation and the background, especially *lovestruck sigh* Deeeeeeeeaaaann. Call me crazy, but when I saw that movie, I just fell desperately in love with Dean, so Dean instantly became my imaginary boyfriend until I get a real one.
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I'm not a big fan of cartoons, but I laughed so hard at this movie...and I almost cried at the end. It was good because the main character was a boy, and he acted like a boy. Funny and imaginative. It gave me a good feeling at the end. Dean is hilarious, wish I knew someone like him. Love this movie, love the plot, and love the animation.
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Hey Joe, obviously you have not seen this film. Go see it before you actually rate it. There are some similarities between the two, but Iron Giant's approach is much different. Plus, who's copying from whom? Iron Giant is based on Hughe's short story/poem, The Iron Man written in the 60's. hmmm?
Excellent story and wonderful characters. Great acting by the voice actors, but more importantly the animators, The true heroes of this film. Them, and Brad Bird. Excellent.
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This looks like a blatant rip off from the 60's cartoon Gigantor. Flying as well as walking with a little boy. How about some originality? I guess it's time to copy from the Japanese as they copy from us. Whatever!
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A great movie,with even better art.
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I feel robbed. Why?
Because I MISSED this film on the cinema!
This is undoubtedly one of the greatest films ever made - even on a par with Babe!
A fantastic film, a moving story and a terrific ending...and they even made it loyal to the book (I know because I read it when I was a kid!).
And get this...I haven't seen ANYONE on the Web say it's a bad film.
And I can't blame them!
Mike
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The first veiwing of this movie was right before christmas 2000. While I was busy sending christmas cards via email, the Iron Giant had come on HBO.
Not ever seeing it before, my 3 year old had sat down to watch. Being only 3, he usually will only stand up to an hour at best on a movie (even Toy Story 1 & 2 - being an avid Buzz fan)- but when this aired, he sat down and watched the entire movie. Needless to say, we purchase this as a gift from Santa. Now, I can proudly say every line from The Iron Giant since we have seen it atleast three to four times a day since christmas. This movie has so much warmth and feeling that no other children's movie has had in several years. Would recommend it to anyone with or without children. I hope that this movie will inspire more like it to all the companies (including Disney). We need more of these for our children and ourselves to see.
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I just watched this movie on HBO. I didn't think that I wanted to watch it at first but the beginning part when Hogarth brought in the squirl was just too cute and it got me into it. I really liked the artwork in the movie and the story was very heartwarming. I thought it was sad in the end but I was happy that he was putting himself back together. I, for one, didnt want him to die, I liked the giant. All in all The Iron Giant has to be one of the best animated movies I have seen for a while, almost better than Kiki's Delivery Service!
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It's usually weird to hear an opinionated, know-it-all teenager say they enjoyed a cartoon so much, but The Iron Giant was a really great film. And being so opinionated, that's a miracle to hear myself give such high ratings on any film.
I would recommend this film to anyone with a soul.
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I think that it is good for all ages and that it has a sense of adventure which I think is good for kids.
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I thought the movie was really cute. I saw it with my five year old cousin. She was in love with the movie and i cried at the end because of how sweet the giant was. I satyed for the credits and i freaked b/c I didnt know that vin diesel did the giant... I had to remember that he was caparzo from Saving Private Ryan... he's a good actor (not to mention hot) and they shoulda credited him more.
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I like this movie alot. The only thing that makes me upset is that Vin Diesel (Iron Giant) doesn't get enough credit for his work in this film. His name isn't even on the cast list. Just because he wasn't a big star doesn't mean he can't be recognized for this movie.
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First off I am late in seeing this movie, and thus this late review. Like most people, I'm sure, I didn't think too much about this film when it first came out. Just another one of those tacky Disney-type animated movies. Don't get me wrong I usually go to Disney flicks. But it never fails that I would come out of it feeling nothing. Sure the animation was great but the story line, well, was mediocre at best.
In contrast, Warner Brothers' The Iron Giant is a tour de force by all movie (not just animation) standards.
Who can ever forget the Superman part? Or the angry Iron Giant attack part? No sappy sing alongs and slapstick humor of people getting hurt. The scene of the deer being killed was also excellent. (Hunters should know better. Newsflash: it's not a sport and you can get food at the supermarket nowadays). Same goes with controlled force as illustrated by the general's willingness to step down when new information was confirmed. The story is many folds more complex than any Disney film yet not complicated. It was essentially a real treat to watch this is what movies should all be like.
Overall, it's a warm, intelligent movie that all who has any shred of humanity should go see. I am disappointed that the Academy did not nominate this movie as best picture -- probably for the mere fact it's an animation. How sad. Or should I say they didn't see it, because how else can they not seriously consider this instant classic.
And another thing, as of this writing 3/12/00, there is absolutely no Iron Giant toys anywhere. Check Etoy.com, Toys R.Us, even the Warner Brothers stores. They're completely sold out. Why? Because the few people that did see the movie bought them all and now are selling them on Ebay to poor saps like myself who saw the movie late. How can life get any crueler?! If you haven't seen the movie, I would suggest you do and not hold it off like I did.
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It's great to see such a quality film that
challenges the Disney machine. For a film with quite a lower budget than the
likes of Tarzan and Fantasia 2000, Warners have pulled off something
special. It is only very sad that the film did not get as much publicity as
it deserved. The animation had one or two flaws, but over all, I found it to
be very polished and quite pleasing. The animation of the characters' faces
was very dynamic as were the special effects animations. As an animation student,
I reccomend this film to anybody currently or wishing to study animation.
Than you.
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A seasoned skeptic of animated movies, even I was forced to admit that The Iron Giant was simply one fantastic film. Living and believable characters, truthful dialogue--the attention to detail blew me away. The three year old in my house, with a full interest span of seconds, watched it for hours with no breaks on the same night we bought it. I jump at every chance to see it, and it hasn't yet lost its space in my time. Every time I watch I see something new. It's the kind of movie that makes you say, "Oh, so that's why that happened that way", over and over again. There's a sparkle, a magic that breathes life into the entire story and makes it hard to believe that it didn't actually happen 50 years ago.
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The film was great! It teaches us that there are things more important that ourselves. I took my six year old son who loved it also. I did not see a necesity for the few curse words in the film. I could not believe that I was getting emotional for a cartoon, but the self sacrifice he made for the townspeople was moving. I bought the DVD and I enjoy every minute of it.
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I did not get to see this movie at the big screen, which was really sad when I bought my 4-year old son a copy of the video. It touches all of us on a level most movies don't approach. I must say that the two scenes that will stick with me are the scenes where they are swimming and the Giant does the cannon-ball, and the moment when the Giant thinks Hogarth to be dead. I am not a critic by trade. Just a new fan. It is already a classic, in my eyes. To all who worked so hard, you did an exceptional job.
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Being very new to this computer jazz, (I just got online this week!) I haven't mastered the art of e-mailing yet. However, since I am in a review mode for The Iron Giant, suffice it to say that the film was one that I really had no interest in even though I am a huge Animated Feature fan...yes, I am an ANIMAHOLIC!!
It completely won me over heart and soul.The characters, the setting , the score, everything about the film has captured me. I'd love to write more about it right now, but I'm in a feeding frenzy to store favorite sites of a like nature and also try to download animated feature screensavers for my screen (remember when YOU first got online?).
I promise to come back and expound on this remarkable film after a while, but if ANYONE out there has any info on where I can get these type of screensavers for MACKINTOSH I would be forever grateful ! In particular, I REALLY WANT THE IRON GIANT ON MY SCREEN!!! So please, HELP ME FIND MY GIANT! e-mail me at EdwardRCox@aol.com.
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A magical and delighting animation that's set in 1950's New England. The Iron Giant (Warner Bros., PG, 87 min.) is sadly a box office disappointment, but it still is a solid and entertaining film directed by the director of The Simpsons. Hogarth Hughes (Eli Marienthal) discovers a giant from outer space he saves from electrocution. He decides to hide him in his farm and teach him a few words, and be friends with him. But when the government intrudes, they have to find a way to get away from them without getting hurt, running into one long peril. Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick Jr., and Christopher MacDonald are among the voices. The Iron Giant is a thought-provoking and comic adventure that gives mature kids and adults something to remember. Young kids might scratch their heads over some of the grown-up humor. But the good thing about The Iron Giant is that it takes a juvenile premise and makes it something to enjoy for all audiences. Probably because of it's director. Despite a few dark moments, the movie is a perfect blend of feel-good comedy and tragedy. And it isn't too dark or too dreary to scare away kids, like say, Babe: Pig in the City.
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The 11:30 matinee...loud, popcorn munching kids and shushing parents who had unthinkingly taken their seat-kicking tots to see a 'cartoon'. My friend and I sat there, having braved the rude crowd to see this amazing film. We were entranced, we laughed out loud in understanding and awe while the t.v. bred tots shifted uneasily in their seats, not getting it at all. How tragic. One of the most bravely feeling movies of the summer has been consigned to the second rate kidvid pile. Again tragic. Only in America is animation dealt this bum hand - Oh, it's animated, so it must be a show for wittow kids. When will the American public wise up and see animation for what it is - an art form just as important as any live action movie drama? Or do I dream too boldly? Please see this film.
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The Iron Giant is one terrific movie.
First, setting it in 1957, and keeping it there was great.
I've grown a bit tired of the 1990's references and idiomatic expressions in the recent Disney features, but in Iron Giant, there were no "cute" references to 1999, or some kid saying "YES!" as he throws his arms in the air.
The animation style was a unique blend in itself, partially simple, and partially very smooth and flowing.
The artists were also not afraid to make it look like an animated film either. The human characters, especially the FBI Agent who kept calling Hogarth "Sport" and "Tiger," and the Artist (voiced by Harry Connick Jr.) were very stylized and interesting to look at.
And who were those supporting characters driving the train, Frank and Ollie?
I also appreciated the films anti-gun, anti-violence stance.
I'm shocked that this film has made less money than Quest for Camelot which was truly just a bad film.
Unfortunately, what's finally happening is that audiences have become desensitized to the whole animation form, and animated features are just becoming another choice of film. Shame.
See Iron Giant. It's great.
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It was a big surprise to me!
The trailer was not very good, but the movie was excellent!!
Very funny characters, situations and dialogues.
I was also surprised by the unusual presence of "violence" in the movie. I'm talking about the army, shooting missiles and using planes to fight the Giant.
The animation was good, and for once NO SONGS in the movie.
Very good!
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First, Citizen Kane and To Kill
a Mockingbird are the only two movies to which I'd assign a '5'.
With that said, Iron Giant is a deceptively
powerful film. Marketed as a children's movie it's deepest messages will only
be perceived by adolescents, teens and adults mature enough to delve into issues
of love, choice and self-sacrifice.
But, therein, lies some of the movie's magic:
it's ability to make adults weep in unison with 6 year olds. Why?
Because it beautifully conveys a universal
message that many of us have lost...the power to know real love through self-sacrifice
in the name of ending all that would oppose it.
By all means take your children to see Iron
Giant but be prepared for an emotional roller coaster that will touch each
of you!
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It's Good.
I have just finished viewing The Iron Giant and I was more than pleasantly surprised. It actually made me think AND entertained me. I would highly recommend it to anyone who has at least half a brain.
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