Netflix says: In rustic 1957 Maine, 9-year-old Hogarth finds a colossal but disoriented robot (of unknown origin), and the two form a strong bond of friendship. Before long, however, a government agent is on their trail -- and he's intent on destroying the automaton. This beautifully rendered parable based on British poet Ted Hughes' feted short story features the voices of Jennifer Aniston, Vin Diesel, Harry Connick Jr. and Cloris Leachman.
Matt says: “The Iron Giant” is a charming movie that is beautifully made and has strong moral messages. At its surface, it’s a film about a boy and his unlikely friendship with a giant robot. After a government agent starts snooping around, they meet a beatnik artist, and they witness hunters kill a deer (that the pair only moments before interacted with), the strong anti-violence message makes itself more than obvious. “You can chose to not be a weapon,” the boy reminds the giant as it unleashes a hell of fury on the military… after the boy earlier taught it the meaning of death in the face of the dead deer. They’re powerful messages that will spark conversation with your children, so be prepared before going into this. Much like the Studio Ghibli films of Japan, this is a film that doesn’t speak down to children… it faces them at their level and stimulates their little minds. Also like Ghibli, the animation is fluid and colorful and the voice work is above average (with a surprise performance from Vin Diesel as “The Giant”). I recommend this to parents, but only when the children, and the parents, are ready for a good sit down chat. 4 1/2 stars.
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