Review: The Iron Giant (1999) · 4:36am Jul 28th, 2015
Brad Bird's directorial debut just might be his most heartfelt, being both a loving ode to the 1950s sci-fi boom, but also a valid, insightful commentary/study on topics ranging from the Cold War, family, and nuclear warfare, all in a sweet natured, endearing, deeply emotional and ultimately uplifting film.
In many ways, Bird helms the film like a live action film, with his 'camera' moving dynamically and organically, and when coupled with the wonderfully lively animation and wondrously rich color palette, helps give the film a giddy spark. He doesn't skimp on the story either, taking it down a straightforward yet deeply enjoyable path, coupling it with a healthy dose of humor that is smart and savvy, without being the inane stupidity that the likes of DreamWorks were already doing at this time.
The voice acting from all parties is top notch. Eli Marienthal (who was 13 at the time) is a wild ball of energy as Hogarth Hughes, the wide eyed boy who finds the Iron Giant. He's infectiously fun and precocious, without falling into being an obnoxious brat stereotype that was so common in the 90s. Instead, he's got a heart of gold that he wears on his sleeve, and its so refreshing.
Vin Diesel gives an incredibly emotive performance as the Iron Giant, barely speaking, but filling every word he does speak with emotion and heart. Its evidence to his skill, and its one of the most emotive voice acting performances I've heard
Harry Connick Jr. is smooth as the hip beetnik/scrap collector/artist Dean McCoppin, who plays out as a father figure for Hogarth. He's also a source of a lot of the film's laughs, and is likable and relatable in the role. His scenes with Jennifer Aniston's long suffering Annie Hughes (Hogarth's mother) are sweet, and feel organic.
Christopher McDonald is incredibly memorable as the sleezy yet menacing Kent Mansley, a paranoiac government agent who nearly causes nuclear apocalypse due to his paranoia. McDonald's performance shifts between hilarity (he is the film's butt monkey no doubt) and menace (his interrogation of Hogarth is one of the most well done in animation), and on top of that, he often provides a conduit for all the fifties paranoia that burbles underneath the film. Throughout we're shown newspaper headlines, comic books, and even one of those cheesy-yet-creepy duck and cover films that bombarded many a school room. Coupled with the recent launch of Sputnik, and you've got a ticking time bomb of paranoia that Mansley represents. He's contrasted by the vastly more level headed General Rogard (awesome as always John Mahoney), who serves to represent the military in a manner that doesn't feel like a put down or stereotype. He's properly paranoid given his position and the time period, but level headed enough to know when he's in the wrong, and avoid conflict.
The score by Michael Kamen is wondrously beautiful, filled with a childlike sense of wonder and awe at the world, coupled with the darker undercurrents that ebbed through the American mindset of the time. Its probably my favorite of his, and its a shame it didn't get any recognition.
In the end, The Iron Giant has stood the test of time in ways that few (if any) non-Disney and/or Pixar animated features have. It really feels timeless, both in its message and delivery, and stands as one of the great animated films.
5 out of 5
That's a film I still need to see myself; no idea why I never got around to it as a kid, just never did. But I love me some 90s animation, and even though it was a bit crisper than some of the earlier stuff from that decade, it's still definitely got that 90s feel, so that alone is going to sell me on it.
And no comments about Vin Diesel's voice acting as the big guy himself?
We also have Vin Diesel warming up for Groot, but it was a simpler part, I guess.
Superman...
3275566 i meant to but forgot
let me fix that
So, essentially, Mansley plays the role of Gen. Ross, while Rogard is more like Nick Fury? Sorry, but the Cold War brings certain images to my mind.
3297942 you could say that, yes
Mansley is much more cowardly though
3297963 Where as General Ross is the sort of man who would attack the Hulk with a paperweight if need be.