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
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
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: Action/Adventure
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
Director David Bowers supplies just enough heart and more than enough humor to make "Astro Boy" an agreeable entertainment.
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.
Not the greatest animated action film but much better than "Speed Racer"
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.
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.
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.
Here's a movie with an origin that's almost more interesting than that of its 'Astro Boy' hero
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.
a big selling point for my kids to see this movie was the line, 'I have machine guns... in my butt?' Viewer, be warned.
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.
There's very little that the filmmakers haven't borrowed here, making Astro Boy feel as copied as its title character.
Full of complex emotion and crackling adventure, Astro Boy hits the big screen after 58 years in comics and TV.
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.
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.
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.
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...
More Movies
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie | Gross |
|---|---|---|
| 30% 30% | The Twilight Saga: New… | £4.3M |
| 84% 84% | Paranormal Activity | £3.6M |
| 55% 55% | Disney's A Christmas C… | £1.9M |
| 38% 38% | 2012 | £1.8M |
| 25% 25% | Law Abiding Citizen | £1.5M |
| 48% 48% | Nativity! | £0.8M |
| 77% 77% | Harry Brown | £0.3M |
| 86% 86% | A Serious Man | £0.2M |
| | De Dana Dan | £0.3M |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.



Top Critic

