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.
Astro Boy (2009)
Tomatometer
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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
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
Reviews for Astro Boy
Lacklustre design and rudimentary storytelling sink Astro Boy below the level of the recent hits of Pixar and DreamWorks.
A well-oiled CG-animated superhero pic that makes up in competence and vitality what it lacks in originality.
An exciting action-packed story with a host of fantastic voice actors, this is a contender for best animated movie of the year.
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.
It may creep some people out -- parents more than children, no doubt.
Full of complex emotion and crackling adventure, Astro Boy hits the big screen after 58 years in comics and TV.
Summit Entertainment has tried just a little too hard to broaden the appeal of its new computer-animated feature Astro Boy.
Astro Boy alternately soars and sputters through a story line that’s not quite sure who it’s aimed at.
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.
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.
a big selling point for my kids to see this movie was the line, 'I have machine guns... in my butt?' Viewer, be warned.
dourly imagined tale whose only real value is in explaining the secret behind that pointy hairdo sported by our hero for all these years
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.
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.
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 ![]()
More...
September 27, 2009:
New: View the Brand New Trailer Here. ![]()
More...
August 12, 2009:
Trailer Bulletin: Astro Boy ![]()
The full official trailer for Imagi's anime feature finally arrives. More...
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