WARNER BROTHERS PRESENTS A BRAD BIRD ANIMATED FILM "THE IRON GIANT" FEATURING THE VOICE TALENTS OF JENNIFER ANISTON ELI MARIENTHAL HARRY CONNICK JR. VIN DIESEL CHRISTOPHER McDONALD JAMES GAMMON JOHN MAHONNEY AND M. EMMET WALSH MUSIC BY MICHAEL KAMEN EDITED BY DARREN T. HOLMES ASSOCIATE PRODUCER JOHN WALKER CINEMATOGRAPHY BY MARK DINICOLA ART DIRECTION ALAN BODNER PRODUCTION DESIGN MARK WHITING EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS PETE TOWNSHEND & JOHN WALKER SCREENPLAY BY BRAD BIRD AND TIM McCANLIES BASED ON THE NOVEL AND STAGE PLAY BY TED HUGHES PRODUCED BY ALLISON ABBATE DIRECTED BY BRAD BIRD
Animation! An art form that has been on a continuing ebb and flow in motion picture history. Once solely the domain of Walt Disney, pen and ink drawings have come back to many studios but not always with the same success. With the release of Warner Bothers' "THE IRON GIANT", we have a chance to view a solid piece of work that rivals anything done by the former.
The year is 1957, and all of American is aware and watching as Sputnik circles the globe. But one night a meteorite bursts through our atmosphere, crashing into the ocean off the coast of Maine. Earl Stutz (voiced by M. Emmet Walsh) is fighting to stay afloat in his fishing boat as a rough storm tosses him. Searching frantically for the lighthouse, he crashes into a huge monolith. Looking up he sees something with two burning searchlights. Knocked of his boat by a crashing wave, the old man is thrown into the sea. He wakens on the rocks just below the lighthouse.
Hogarth Hughes is a nine-year-old boy, being raised by his single Mother, Annie (Jennifer Aniston). Hogarth loves monster movies and comic (as most any kid does), and is giving to telling tall tales to avoid punishments for poor judgment. One night while watching a scary movie on television (against his Mother's wishes), he hears a noise from outside. Suddenly the reception of the television goes out. Hogarth runs to his bedroom, and looking out the window discovers that the antenna has been broken off. He then sees large footprints leading from his house into the forest. Thinking that an invasion from outer space has begun, Hogarth grabs up his Space Cadet regalia and sets forth in search of the invader.
Hogarth stumbles through the woods, following the trail of broken trees to an electrical station. As he approaches, the ground starts to rumble, trembling with heavy blows. Suddenly a huge 100 foot metallic man appears above the trees. Hogarth runs, just avoiding being crushed by the giant's feet. The steel behemoth stares down at the power station, eating first the security fence and then trying to eat one of the power conduits. Electricity bolts out from all directions. The giant falls back against the high-tension lines, becoming entangled. The surge of electricity causes the giant to shake and shudder in anguish. Hogarth cowers as the giant smokes and burns in the electrical storm. Finally, feeling some sense of remorse, runs to the main cut off switch and pulls the circuit closed. The giant falls back unconscious, crashing to the ground. Hogarth, frightened and amazed runs home to tell his Mother. Meeting her at the edge of the forest, she scolds the boy for leaving home so late at night and takes no heed of his tall tale.
The next morning, Hogarth returns to the forest in an effort to photograph the giant. Waiting for long hours, sleep overcomes him. Finally Hogarth wakens and finds that his bait (a sheet of corrugated steel) is missing. He turns to leave and discovers the sheet of steel behind him. He slowly raises his gaze to see the Iron Giant standing above him. Laid out nearby is the cut off switch from the power plant. Hogarth realizes that the Giant understands the boy had rescued him. Hogarth now has visions of being a super hero, and a secret friendship is begun. And it's a secret that doesn't remain one for very long.
Director Brad Bird, who cut his teeth directing episodes of 'The Simpson' and 'King of the Hill' has produced one of the most enjoyable 'boys tales' ever to grace the screen. His attention to detail is wondrously complete. The character designs are both charming and engaging to a degree that we haven't seen since the classic shorts by Chuck Jones. In fact the whole design of the film could be seen as a loving tribute to the style and wit of Chuck Jones and Bob Clampett. The script by Bird and Tim McCanlies is rich in both character and subtext. There is an honest to goodness feel of the 1950's in this film that it almost seems to be a product of that era and not a current production. That is not to say that the animation is stilted or of poor quality. On the contrary, the animation of "The Iron Giant" is some of the best animation we've ever seen outside of the Disney Studios. The movements of all of the characters is finely detailed and beautifully controlled, but never in a way that makes one forget they are watching animation. The idea of realistic movement is not the point here. But great character animation and detail to expressions and design are. The inclusion of Computer animation is so seamless as to be (at times) confused with the traditional methods. A wonderful and charming alliance or technology and art.
The cast assembled for the voices of the characters are all remarkable deft at portraying they're parts. Most effective are Harry Connick Jr. as the beatnik / junkyard artist Dean McCoppin. His delivery of his lines is so on target that you forget the actor and absorb the character he portrays. Kudos as well to Christopher McDonald as Government Agent Kent Mansley, a performance as manic and inspired as anything done by Mel Blanc. And too much cannot be said about the performance of Eli Marienthal as Hogarth Hughes. The tone and nuance of this performance is so on key that if the Academy ever decides to dedicates an award to voice actors, Mr. Marienthal should surely be up for a nomination.
Based on the marvelous Children's Book "The Iron Giant" by the late Ted Hughes, Brad Bird's adaptation is a rich and enthralling film. Full of rich animation and characterization, along with strong moral questions about friendship and identity. And there is so much depth to the film that adults can take away as much, if not more from the viewing, as any child can. Absolutely one of the summer's best surprises, as well as one of this years best films.
On a scale of one to five, 'The Iron Giant' rates full five stars. A wonderful film that will continue to entertain and enchant both young and old alike, for years to come. Absolutely, a Classic!
Copyright © 1999 R. L. Strong Nothing in this article may be quoted or re-printed without the expressed written permission of the author. -- Visit the Dungeon: The Dungeonmaster's Cornucopia of Film http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Makeup/5594/reviews/main.html
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