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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

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Reviews for Astro Boy

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1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 >> >|
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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

Lacklustre design and rudimentary storytelling sink Astro Boy below the level of the recent hits of Pixar and DreamWorks.

Full Review Source: Toronto Star | comment Comment
10/23/09
Jason Anderson
Jason Anderson
Toronto Star

Action-packed adventure a fun bet for young superhero fans.

Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | comment Comment
10/23/09
Sandie Angulo Chen
Sandie Angulo Chen
Common Sense Media

A well-oiled CG-animated superhero pic that makes up in competence and vitality what it lacks in originality.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
10/15/09
Andrew Baker
Andrew Baker
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

An exciting action-packed story with a host of fantastic voice actors, this is a contender for best animated movie of the year.

Full Review Source: FILMINK (Australia) | comment Comment
10/13/09
Annette Basile
Annette Basile
FILMINK (Australia)

Although Astro Boy has its moments, in a movie year already crowded with animated successes, it may not have the superhuman strength to stand out.

Full Review Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | comment Comment
10/22/09
Mack Bates
Mack Bates
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

It may creep some people out -- parents more than children, no doubt.

Full Review Source: Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) | comment Comment
10/23/09
John Beifuss
John Beifuss
Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

Awesome. Truly.

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

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

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

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

Summit Entertainment has tried just a little too hard to broaden the appeal of its new computer-animated feature Astro Boy.

Full Review Source: Washington Times | comment Comment
10/22/09
Sonny Bunch
Sonny Bunch
Washington Times

Astro Boy alternately soars and sputters through a story line that’s not quite sure who it’s aimed at.

Full Review Source: Boston Globe | comment Comment
10/22/09
Ty Burr
Ty Burr
Boston Globe

It strays too far from the original to please hard-core fans and it is so confused in tone and purpose that it is hard to tell where it's aimed.

Full Review Source: Sydney Morning Herald | comment Comment
10/15/09
Paul Byrnes
Paul Byrnes
Sydney Morning Herald

What Astro Boy has in spades are energy, good humor, and the demolition-derby action of a superhero smash-up, reasons enough to recommend it to grade-school boys.

Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews | comment Comment
10/23/09
Peter Canavese
Peter Canavese
Groucho Reviews

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

dourly imagined tale whose only real value is in explaining the secret behind that pointy hairdo sported by our hero for all these years

Full Review Source: Killer Movie Reviews | comment Comment
10/22/09
Andrea Chase
Andrea Chase
Killer Movie Reviews

Parents, don't nap while the kids watch.

Full Review Source: Dallas Morning News | comment 7 Comments
10/23/09
Nancy Churnin
Nancy Churnin
Dallas Morning News

The CGI animation is crisp and colorful, the characters have some complexity and there is clever enough writing to keep the parents amused while the kids have fun.

Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | comment Comment
10/23/09
Robin Clifford
Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews

If all of this sounds a bit heavy, even dark and scary, indeed some of it is. But it's also very funny, action packed and pithy.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment 1 Comment
10/12/09
Tim Cogshell
Tim Cogshell
Boxoffice Magazine
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z; UK critics are listed first)
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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...

See All

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