Review of The Iron Giant (1999) by Ryan H — 06 Jul 2014

After talking about films that you just have to watch either when you're young or when they come out, I was worried I wouldn't like The Iron Giant as much as most people. Fortunately that wasn't the case.

This might be my favorite film by Brad Bird. It's much smarter than I expected and the emotions were genuine. Thinking back there's not much built up for the characters, but there's an instant connection between Hogarth and the Giant.

The pacing's spot on where Bird doesn't treat the kids like they're stupid and need to get ride to the silly fun and he doesn't bore them with a slow buildup. Setting this in 1957 also gave the right atmosphere it needed.

For the adults it puts them in the mindset of the Cold War and the fear people had of what the Soviets were creating. It doesn't seem too crazy that Kent Malsey wants to destroy it simply because he doesn't know what it is.

The Soviets just sent Sputnik into space and Americans were afraid they were watching them with it. Everyone became paranoid. So when a huge piece of metal dropped down everyone was afraid of what it could be.

Might have come from the Soviets to destroy us! Even by the end of the film we don't know what it truly is. The Giant himself doesn't know. He wonders if he can die like a deer he saw. Hogarth says that he's kind so he must have a soul, and souls can't die.

He might die but his soul will live on. This conversation doesn't go on too long to bore people or get into religion, but I thought it was an interesting little part. There are also characters you wouldn't expect in a children's animated film like this, such as Dean who works/lives in a metal scraps junkyard and makes art out of some of the scraps.

He's not rich nor does he live in a very good way, but he tries to do good and that seems to be enough for the filmmakers. It sure was enough for me. He's the only one that cares to help out Hogarth and the Giant.

They believe something great can come from him. Bird must have also been at least a little inspired by Miyazaki seeing as there's a big no-violence message to the film where a character that could kick-butt chooses not to and has to overcome violence.

And how can someone watch this and not be torn apart when the Giant decides to take the missile up into outer space and let himself explode? The last look between Hogarth and the Giant is heartbreaking.

You gotta be happy when the metal piece starts beeping and Hogarth says "see you soon." The world Bird sets up allows us to enjoy the cartoony comedy as well as take it seriously on a different level.

Fantastic film that deserves even more praise than it already gets.