Astro Boy

When I eventually go on Oprah (or Celebrity Rehab) to talk about all the deprivation in my childhood that made me the spectacular mess I am as an adult, exhibit A will be:

Anime never came to Iowa.

Growing up with four channels, we had ‘60s sitcom reruns, locally-hosted afternoon cartoon shows, Saturday morning cartoons, and the stop-motion Davy and Goliath morality tales. But no Speed Racer, and no Astro Boy.

All of which is to say I’m not sure what to do with the new feature-film version of Astro Boy, a pillar of the anime genre. (Debuting in the ‘60s, it’s considered one of the first anime series.)

With animated kid’s films, like every other type of movie, the number of “eh”s far outweigh the “wow”s and the “ugh”s. And coming off a week when we’ve all been talking about Where the Wild Things Are in the context of both what makes for magnificent, passionate (or alienating) children’s filmmaking; and what is or is not appropriate for what kids of what ages, Astro Boy lands with a resounding “eh.”

It does have a fun setting: Metro City is a retro-futuristic floating city, populated by both people and their faithful robots. And yet, even that bit of light imagination comes tinged with heavier undertones: The city was elevated to the clouds because humans over-polluted the earth. And those goofy, friendly robots? Well, they are very much a slave class, blithely and laughingly considered disposable and replaceable.

Father of this New Frontier of Robotic Luxury is super scientist Dr. Tenma, voiced by Nicolas Cage and even sporting the trademark Cage Rooster Hair (circa Raising Arizona). His young son Toby (Freddie Highmore) is a mathelete superstar, on track to surpass his father in science-y things. Until, well, Toby is killed in a military robot weapons test gone wrong. Vaporized. Only his ball cap remains.

Yep, that’s right. If you were not familiar with the basic premise of the original Astro Boy series (there the son died in a car accident), take fair warning: Toby dies within the first 15 minutes of the film. However, while sad, the child’s death has a weird “bright” side. Dad goes a little mad scientist—he takes his dead son’s memories and downloads them into a new super boy robot that looks just like Toby, except he can fly and is indestructible.

But no matter how neat and fun this new Robo-Son is, the film wants to have it both ways: Dr. Tenma eventually rejects the new being because he knows in his heart that despite having all of Toby’s memories, this is not really his dead son. The real Toby is still dead. But we the viewers never really feel like Toby is gone, since in terms of the narrative New Toby has quickly and easily replaced him. (To underscore just how dark and emotional some of this is, that’s almost exactly the same premise as the recent Battlestar Galactica: Caprica DTV movie.)

(Where the Wild Things Are dealt out plenty of darkness and grown-up ideas and emotions, but it took addressing them seriously. Astro Boy never quite commits to that sort of full creative vision or that sort of honesty about the death of a child--it's little more than a plot device to get us to the cool flying and fighting.)

Cast out by his father-creator—with shades of Pinocchio and Frankenstein (and as James astutely pointed out, Spielberg’s A.I.)—Robo-Toby falls to Earth where he finds a gang of young, lovable human urchins amidst the Wall-E-style mountains of scrap robots and trash. Led by Kristen Bell, they take him in and introduce him to their kindly adult guardian voiced by Nathan Lane. (Any resemblance to Dickens’ Fagin is not to be noticed…at least not right away.)

Down on the surface wasteland, Toby Two also falls in with one of the movie’s funnier conceits: a hapless cadre of British Commie Bots trying to overthrow the human ruling class. No, really. They have posters of Trotsky and Lenin and everything. It’s a silly enough gag to forgive the obvious swipe from Life of Brian’s People's Front of Judea.

Which brings us to the other interesting (and possibly annoying, depending on your views) thing about Astro Boy: Its politics, worn right there on its super-alloy sleeve. Not only is there the environmental message and the whole “robots as slave caste” system, but the movie’s primary villain is the militaristic president of Metro City, a war-mongering politician looking to stay in power by perpetuating conflict. The character is voiced by Donald Sutherland, but he clearly uses the same tailor and hair stylist as Grand Moff Tarkin. All of this is laid on pretty thick and comes off a bit more earnest and finger-wagging than the goofy satire of say Monsters Vs. Aliens' inept President Colbert.

So what to make of Astro Boy the movie? It’s not an awful film, not by a long stretch. The character of Astro Boy isn’t all that compelling, but he has enough “Golly-gee!” enthusiasm to carry things along. Plus he has guns that pop out of his buttocks. For real. Kids get a big kick out of that sort of thing. And none of them at my screening seemed too bothered by Real Toby’s death—I’m guessing they barely noticed it before Astro Toby showed up to dazzle.

The film’s full (perhaps a bit too full) of zippity energy, entertaining rock-em-sock-em robot battles, and cute-kid quips from the pint-sized surface ruffians—and its simple Space-Age retro designs are a kooky, colorful treat. (Though as nifty as the bad-guy-bot looks, it just made me want to go watch the much better Iron Giant again.) Plus, the always delightful Bill Nighy voices not one, but two characters.

As directed by David Bowers (part of the Aardman animation team and creator of Flushed Away), Astro Boy has some ideas, but is no emotionally rich Pixar tour de force. On the other hand, it doesn’t come off as shamelessly commercial as something like Monsters vs. Aliens. Instead, Astro Boy hovers somewhere in that “eh” space between art and product, blasting away happily in the bright light of day.

Comments

[Trevor L.]

Ah, Iron Giant, that was a good movie. I wasn't going to see this movie mostly because it's not a Japanese production, and I am a fan of the original Astro Boy, which does deal with the darker issues fairly well. I also think the character design looks ridiculous in 3D.

[Locke Peterseim]

Yes, Trevor, I refrained from making any wise cracks, so to speak, about those weird little black shorts Astro Boy wears... so I had to shelve my jokes about him auditioning to join Wham!...

And Iron Giant is SUCH a wonderful film--I never get tired of watching it, or making my Transformer-obsessed 4-yr-old nephew watch it.

[Livia]

Looks stupid, I'm not seeing it in the theatre, I will be glad to wait for rent. Saw reviews on it a long time ago and it seems possible it could be great movie.

[Jared B.]

I disagree - vehemently. I saw Astro Boy with my sister and brother last Sunday and we LOVED IT!!!! It had so much emotion, and it was way more fun than movies like Where The Wild Things Are, which sucked. But I do agree about the stupid political stuff. This movie didn't need it and it bugged us too. But there was still a lot about Astro Boy to love. I may go see it again, because I can't wait for the DVD.

[Sundevil93]

HORRIBLE!!!!!!! It was not worth the money I paid for myself and my kids to see it....My son was looking forward to seeing this movie but it did nothing for him. I think that for adults who followed the cartoon before this release may enjoy it but it was marketed to children as something totally different and did not live up to my kids' expectations anyways....

[Don Handy]

Personally, I thought that "the stupid political stuff" was the precise reason for the poor reviews. Well, I enjoyed "the stupid political stuff." The president's pre-occupation with premptive warfare mirrored that of a recent, actual president. The disposible nature of the robots seems relevant to us Michiganders, who have seen so many manufacturing jobs disappear, with no apparent concern by the banking class as to out means of sustenance. While not as good as "Where The Wild Things Are," which, after all, would be my favorite movie in just about any year, it was the better of the two, according to my nine-year-old son.

[RenaissanceWDJ]

Hello there, If you had nothing but 60 reruns in your town as a child, (which by the way Astro Boy was shown in the 60's) You are much to young to review most films.
I have been in film for over 40 years and most of the people from major cities across the United States of the ages between 70 and 50 years of age, have grown up in film (if that was their focus) They can gauge film for what it was, what it is and what is has become. I have not seen the film and will probably wait as I usually do to see it at home in my private theater with friends. But there was an annoying feeling I got from reading your review that made me write this comment on the reviewer. Please don't over review things you are not familiar with, it reads silly.
So when joining the party from the restroom, review yourself first, make proper adjustments then enter the social circle of film, for if not you may have some toilet paper hanging over your trousers and not even know it. :) Peace

[Shari Strain]

I beg to differ with the author of this review "Anime never came to Iowa." I lived in Ames, Iowa from 1960 until 1976. I remember watching Astro Boy on TV when I was in elementary school. I could even hum the theme song for you - that's how much I watched it! It was a great first anime cartoon. You can see it on the Internet and hear the song! Shari

[Locke Peterseim]

Well maybe there in cosmopolitan CENTRAL Iowa and Cyclone country, Shari, but not in Eastern Iowa Hawkeye territory ;)

[Locke Peterseim]

Renaissance, are you saying no one under 50 years old should review films?

"Much too young to review most films"? I'm in my early '40s, have been watching films for 35 years and writing about them for 25 years. I didn't realize you had to be intimately and personally familiar and have seen Hitchcock films on their first run in theaters in order to know something and say something about films. ;)

"most of the people from major cities across the United States of the ages between 70 and 50 years of age, have grown up in film (if that was their focus)"

I don't even know what you're saying here. Major cities? Most people? So I can't review films if I grew up in a small rural town in Iowa? Despite the Amish-Mennonite community, we DID have movies, TV, VCRs, cable. Are you somehow implying I rode into Chicago on a horse last fall having never seen one of them there movin' pictures before? lol :)

"They can gauge film for what it was, what it is and what is has become."

So only someone who has lived through the entire century-long history of film can "gauge" modern films? I honestly don't know what you're saying here. If it helps, I have a degree in film--they did make us watch and read and write about films that were older than we were. :)

"But there was an annoying feeling I got from reading your review that made me write this comment on the reviewer. Please don't over review things you are not familiar with, it reads silly."

Well, I saw Astro Boy in the theater. That's really all anyone reviewing the film has to be familiar with, as that's the way most viewers will come to it. It has to stand on it's merits as a 90-min feature film. And that's how I reviewed it.

"So when joining the party from the restroom, review yourself first, make proper adjustments then enter the social circle of film, for if not you may have some toilet paper hanging over your trousers and not even know it."

I'm sorry--next time I'll be sure to check in with you before reviewing any films, to make sure my credentials are in order. ;)

By the way, this week I need to review the following:

A Serious Man -- but I am not Jewish and was not a father in Minnesota in the '60s

An Education -- but I am not British and was not a teenage girl in prep school in the '60s

Amelia -- but I was not alive when Earhart flew and I myself have never flown solo across the Atlantic, or vanished in the Pacific

The Men Who Stare at Goats -- But I have not been in the Army, visited Iraq, or used my psychic powers to kill a goat by staring at it

Please advise how I should proceed with reviewing these films. ;)

Just teasing you a bit, Renaissance, but come on, seriously look at the sorts of things you're assuming and implying about me and my ability to review films. I get what you're saying, that a film critic should have some working knowledge of film history, what has come before.

I was being cheeky about those films above, but yes, it helps to have seen a Coen Bros film before reviewing Serious Man, it helps to have seen a big Oscar-y biopic before reviewing Amelia, it helps to have seen Confessions of a Dangerous Mind before reviewing Men Who Stare at Goats. Sure it helps, but it's not ESSENTIAL. Every critic and writer brings his or her own experiences and viewing background to what they write.

But few critics of any age have seen EVERYTHING on both film and TV. I admitted up front I wasn't familiar with the Astro Boy TV show, but that really shouldn't matter--the new film does NOT presuppose any knowledge of the show. It's made for kids, the vast majority of whom will have no idea there even WAS an Astro Boy TV show.

Now, when they make a Hogan's Heroes feature film, I'll be ready! ;)

Peace :)

[Fiirvoen]

And that right there, Locke...that's why I love you. LOL! Excellent rebuttal, I must say.

[Fiirvoen]

Speaking of which, I can't WAIT to see the Men Who Stare at Goats. It looks hilarious. Lots of talent packed in there. Who is behind it? It looks like a Cohen Bros film, but you mentioned a different one?

[Locke Peterseim]

Fiirvoen, Men Who Stare at Goats is directed by first-timer Grant Heslov, who has worked with Clooney on HBO's Unscripted, Leatherheads, and Good Night and Good Luck. Clooney is the producer of Goats, and the new film shares thematic, subject, and stylistic similarities with Clooney's own '02 directorial debut, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. (With, as you note, some stuff picked up from all Clooney's work with the Coens, and it makes an interesting pairing with this fall's The Informant, which Clooney also produced with his other frequent collaborator, Steven Soderbergh.)

[Jim]

Every generation has something to teach the one that comes after it, that is for certain. That said, didn't those people in their 50s and 70s do their best to teach the youngsters. If Locke at 40 can still be considered a youngster. So Locke is a product of their teaching; a little late and seamingly foolish to complain about the product of your own best efforts (in a collective sense of course). Each generation is better than the last, we move forward. I for one hope that my children will have film and love it and write reviews that I can read and admire. I will think, wow, we raised a generation that values thought, culture, peace, and civilization enough to have energy to spend reviewing them reaching for a better world. I say write on Locke, write on!

[Fiirvoen]

IN...teresting. I really didn't like Leatherheads, but Good Night and Good Luck was phenomenal! I never actually saw Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, though. Is it good?

Also, I still haven't seen the Informant, even though I am dying to see it!

[destini]

what rating is it

[Locke Peterseim]

It's rated PG, Destini

[Locke Peterseim]

Fiirvoen, I like Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, but it's probably not a "great" film--I'm just a sucker for both Sam Rockwell and George Clooney, and I have a goofy soft spot for Chuck Barris and the Gong Show.

As you probably know, the film is based on Barris's "memoir" in which he recalled (with has-been tongue firmly in bottomed-out cheek) that he was a hitman for the CIA even as he was creating The Dating Game, the Newlywed Game, and the Gong Show. So the film, like the memoir, has a sort of loosey-goosey winking feel to it. It's that sort of espionage-flavored "is this true, are we having you on, or does it matter?" vibe that is echoed in Men Who Stare at Goats.

It was Clooney's first directing gig and you can see him showing off a bit, trying to use all the things he'd picked up from watching other directors like the Coens and Soderbergh. And it doesn't really hold all the way together dramatically or narratively, but I like its oddball spirit.

[miriam flroes]

I want to to buy it will it be available by December?

[Locke Peterseim]

Miriam, most movies take about 3-5 months from their initial theatrical release until they appear on DVD, so I'd say don't expect to see Astro Boy on DVD for sale or rental until February.