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SERENDIPITY CINEMA"The Iron Giant" Movie Review
When folks of my generation were only kids (and yes you snide younger people, there were moving pictures way back then) the only animated features were done by some outfit called Disney. They were, just about, the only game in any town. Sure the Fleischer brothers had done "Gulliver's Travels" and "Mr. Hoppity Goes to Town." Not to mention the occasional Japanese import, but those most often showed up only on Saturday morning matinees called "Kiddie Shows" that none of us would be caught dead in. Hanna Barbera even tried to give us a feature version of Yogi Bear, but, all in all, Walt had the market sewed up. Then came Bakshi, and after that Don Bluth and, before you knew it, there were alternatives. Some of them good, some of them really bad. Just the way the movies have always been. Somebody once said, "You have to know that 90% of all art is crap. 10% is mediocre. 8% is good. You just sit and hope for that other 2% to make things worthwhile." 
"The Iron Giant" is that 2%. Based on the Ted Hughes book "The Iron Man," this may be the rare case of improbing on the original. This one is adventurous, without being mindless. This one is something that kids and adults can really enjoy sitting side by side. 
The story of a non-Japanese giant robot is rare enough in itself. But this one is exciting and funny and thought provoking. Government conspiracies, the relationship between a child's world and that of the adults, and even thoughts on what it is to be sentient, these are explored without ever preaching or making the decisions for you. The robot just shows up from outer space and connects (as it seems robots always do) with a young boy. From that point on the government is after it, and his buddy is out to save him. It has a great voice cast, magnificent visual imagery and snappy dialog that belies the audience those uneducated in animation will think it is aimed towards. 
Here is some of that voice cast: Jennifer Aniston .... Annie Hughes Harry Connick Jr. .... Dean McCoppin Vin Diesel .... The Iron Giant James Gammon .... Marv Loach/Floyd Turbeaux/General Sudokoff Cloris Leachman .... Mrs. Lynley Tensedge Christopher McDonald .... Kent Mansley John Mahoney .... General Rogard Eli Marienthal .... Hogarth Hughes M. Emmet Walsh .... Earl Stutz 
If you have a kid that you need to entertain, even if that kid is you, you will not do better than this one. If you can tell the difference between "art" and "junk" (which the robot can’t in an exceptionally hilarious sequence) this is the film for you.  If you have an idea for a Serendipity Cinema, or want to comment email here --posted by Wayne
Sunday, December 03, 2006
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