Based on a vintage Japanese cartoon and manga series, Astro Boy arrives with more charm and care than one would expect for yet another pop-culture regurgitation. The plot is typical human vs. machine stuff, or, specifically, boy robot vs. fucking huge, power-mad despot robot, but it doesn’t pander, bore or bullshit. There are no hollow morals, or confusing or questionable motives for the characters. The plot is multifaceted and difficult to sum up simply: A gifted, humanoid robot among disposable slave robots for humans, Astro Boy must overcome human prejudice and hubris as he fights a deranged general, bent on harnessing the robots’ more destructive tendencies. Astro Boy is a more thoughtful film than most for the kids.
This article appears in Oct 22-28, 2009.
As someone who has a specific reverence for the series produced in the 80’s by Fuji TV, I had a bit of trepidation when I watched this film. Sadly, I was disappointed. As I watched, I found that the relationship between Tenma and Astro far too stiff; Nick Cage’s voice work was emotional as a stone, which lent nothing to this. Even Dr. Elefun, who is a significant persona in the source material, is downplayed to a secondary character. While I do not expect a kid’s movie to really have complex character relationships, the film doesn’t really work as a kid’s movie either. The theme of robots being entirely subservient to man, which is the main story arc of the source material, and the message of tolerance and acceptance of differences, is far too dark for a kids movie. The whole movie gave me the sense that the producers will make a franchise of the series, with the remaining installments being direct to DVD sequels that might continue this theme, and may properly give it credit, but it’s too complex for an hour and a half.