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Movies / Upcoming / Astro Boy
Astro Boy

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Astro Boy (2009)

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Reviews Counted:83

Fresh:40

Rotten:43

Average Rating:5.7/10

Consensus: While it isn't terribly original, and it seems to have a political agenda that may rankle some viewers, Astro Boy boasts enough visual thrills to please its target demographic.

Genre: Childrens

Synopsis: Few characters have made as powerful or as lasting an impression on international popular culture as Astro Boy. The little robot first appeared in 1951 as a character in the celebrated artist and... Few characters have made as powerful or as lasting an impression on international popular culture as Astro Boy. The little robot first appeared in 1951 as a character in the celebrated artist and animator Osamu Tezuka’s legendary manga(Japanese comic book) and became an instant icon. He was subsequently featured as the star of his own television series in both black-and white and in color, eventually airing in over 40 countries. Astro Boy created the standard for a new form of animation that has become world famous as anime.

Now for the first time, Astro Boy will be brought to life on the big screen. Created with breathtaking computer animation from Imagi Studios, the film Astro Boy is a thrilling tale of a true hero. The film is set to debut in theaters on October 23, 2009.

Set in futuristic Metro City, Astro Boy is about a young robot with incredible powers created by a brilliant scientist named Dr. Tenma (Nicolas Cage). Powered by positive “blue” energy, Astro Boy (Freddie Highmore) is endowed with super strength, x-ray vision, unbelievable speed and the ability to fly. Embarking on a journey in search of acceptance, Astro Boy encounters many other colorful characters along the way. Through his adventures, he learns the joys and emotions of being human, and gains the strength to embrace his destiny. Ultimately learning his friends and family are in danger, Astro Boy marshals his awesome super powers and returns toMetro City in a valiant effort to save everything he cares about and to understand what it means to be a hero. --© Summit [More]

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Kristen Bell, Bill Nighy, Freddie Highmore

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Kristen Bell, Bill Nighy, Freddie Highmore, Donald Sutherland, Eugene Levy, Nathan Lane, Matt Lucas, Sterling Beaumon, Madeline Carroll, Charlize Theron

Director: David Bowers

Director: David Bowers
Screenwriter: Timothy Harris, David Bowers
Studio: Summit Entertainment

[See More Credits]

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Reviews for Astro Boy

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Almost 60 years after his comic-book inception, the iconic Japanese robot Astro Boy finally makes his cinematic debut in a feature that, unfortunately, feels as if it has been assembled from spare parts.

Full Review Source: Screen International | comment Comment
10/16/09
Tim Grierson
Tim Grierson
Screen International

Director David Bowers supplies just enough heart and more than enough humor to make "Astro Boy" an agreeable entertainment.

Full Review Source: Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL) | comment Comment
11/11/09
Jeffrey Westhoff
Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

Just dub this one Where the Mild Things Are.

Full Review Source: Creative Loafing | comment Comment
11/02/09
Matt Brunson
Matt Brunson
Creative Loafing

More than anything, Astro Boy is simply fun to watch.

Full Review Source: Christianity Today | comment 1 Comment
10/31/09
Russ Breimeier
Russ Breimeier
Christianity Today

It looks good, but if this Astro Boy is going to launch a new series, one can only hope the writing the next time out is not as, well... robotic.

Full Review Source: New England Movies Weekly | comment Comment
10/29/09
Daniel M. Kimmel
Daniel M. Kimmel
New England Movies Weekly

Not the greatest animated action film but much better than "Speed Racer"

Full Review Source: jackiekcooper.com | comment Comment
10/27/09
Jackie K. Cooper
Jackie K. Cooper
jackiekcooper.com

I just felt like this was a mistranslation -- almost trying to combine the slightly sinister, cold world of Japanese anime with the warm, sentimental, fuzzy, bouncy world of Hollywood kid animation.

Full Review Source: At the Movies | comment Comment
10/26/09
A.O. Scott
A.O. Scott
At the Movies

Astro Boy stands on its own as a nifty piece of animated fun, full of good lessons, brisk pacing and humour and sweetness the original anime sometimes lacked. It does Osamu Tezuka's source creation proud.

Full Review Source: TheDivaReview.com | comment Comment
10/25/09
Diva Velez
Diva Velez
TheDivaReview.com

I have just one complaint. It should have been 3-D. A solid, kid-friendly story with a floating city filled with high-tech gizmos and gadgets deserves the extra dimension.

Full Review Source: Tri-City Herald | comment 1 Comment
10/25/09
Gary Wolcott
Gary Wolcott
Tri-City Herald

Here's a movie with an origin that's almost more interesting than that of its 'Astro Boy' hero

Full Review Source: Quad City Times (Davenport, IA) | comment Comment
10/24/09
Linda Cook
Linda Cook
Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

I don't know how parents are going to feel about taking their kids to see Astro Boy, but I kind of respect where it goes.

Full Review Source: Can Magazine | comment Comment
10/23/09
Fred Topel
Fred Topel
Can Magazine

a big selling point for my kids to see this movie was the line, 'I have machine guns... in my butt?' Viewer, be warned.

Full Review Source: 7M Pictures | comment 2 Comments
10/23/09
Kevin Carr
Kevin Carr
7M Pictures

David Bowers' retro-cool update on the titular icon looks so great, it may take a while to notice it's a clunky political parable wrapped in a tonally confused fairy tale.

Full Review Source: New York Daily News | comment 2 Comments
10/23/09
Elizabeth Weitzman
Elizabeth Weitzman
New York Daily News

There's very little that the filmmakers haven't borrowed here, making Astro Boy feel as copied as its title character.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment 3 Comments
10/23/09
Glenn Whipp
Glenn Whipp
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Full of complex emotion and crackling adventure, Astro Boy hits the big screen after 58 years in comics and TV.

Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
10/23/09
Liz Braun
Liz Braun
Jam! Movies

Awesome. Truly.

Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment 1 Comment
10/23/09
Amy Biancolli
Amy Biancolli
Houston Chronicle

One of the most pleasant surprises I've had at the movies all year.

Full Review Source: MSNBC | comment Comment
10/23/09
Alonso Duralde
Alonso Duralde
MSNBC

A visually stunning sci-fi movie that occasionally drags and could have used more imagination as well as some exploration of its provocative themes, but nonetheless manages to be a mostly thrilling adventure.

Full Review Source: NYC Movie Guru | comment Comment
10/23/09
Avi Offer
Avi Offer
NYC Movie Guru

Astro Boy definitely sets himself up for a sequel, and the overall scenario is ripe to explore many current issues. But let's hope the creators trade in the well-used parts for some fresh material.

Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment 2 Comments
10/23/09
Jennie Punter
Jennie Punter
Globe and Mail

Astro Boy is a blast, a jolt of Japanese anime channeled through British slap-shtick that ends up yet another cool cartoon for both kids and adults.

Full Review Source: Detroit News | comment Comment
10/23/09
Tom Long
Tom Long
Detroit News
 
 
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Latest News for Astro Boy

October 22, 2009: Critics Consensus: Astro Boy Doesn't Quite Soar
This week at the movies, we've got an anime hero (Astro Boy, with voice work from Kristen Bell and Nicolas Cage); a vampire war ( Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant,... More...

October 03, 2009: Astro Boy: Movie Review, Photos, Trailer, Poster Opens in new window
More...

September 27, 2009: New: View the Brand New Trailer Here. Opens in new window
More...

August 12, 2009: Trailer Bulletin: Astro Boy Opens in new window
The full official trailer for Imagi's anime feature finally arrives. More...

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