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Movies / In Cinemas / 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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61 - 80 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 >> >|
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This is nothing more than indoctrination to Marxism. Is this what you want your kids watching for a Saturday matinee?

Full Review Source: Outtakes With Fiore | comment 12 Comments
10/22/09
Fiore Mastracci
Fiore Mastracci
Outtakes With Fiore

The humans, none of whom have strong enough personalities to engage, look enough like people but Toby looks like a shrunken version of the Big Boy mascot.

Full Review Source: Metromix.com | comment Comment
10/22/09
Matt Pais
Matt Pais
Metromix.com

Serious Tezuka fans will likely appreciate the sharp multi-dimensional presentation, even as they resent Osamu’s being pimped out for Obama.

Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment 1 Comment
10/22/09
Chris Faraone
Chris Faraone
Boston Phoenix

Astro Boy is better than most of its recent competitors, such as Monsters vs. Aliens and Kung Fu Panda.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment 14 Comments
10/22/09
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A futuristic take on "Pinocchio"... a competently-made animated adventure that probably will wow kids more than it will keep adults entertained for more than a few minutes.

Full Review Source: ComingSoon.net | comment Comment
10/21/09
Edward Douglas
Edward Douglas
ComingSoon.net

Cobbled together from trusty old parts, Astro Boy manages to stand on its own feet.

Full Review Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch | comment Comment
10/21/09
Joe Williams
Joe Williams
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

It's pretty forgettable.

Full Review Source: Associated Press | comment Comment
10/21/09
Christy Lemire
Christy Lemire
Associated Press

By nudging the picture into primary colors, Astro Boy loses a shot at an intriguing personality. A little sustained darkness never hurt anyone.

Full Review Source: Sci-Fi Movie Page | comment Comment
10/21/09
Brian Orndorf
Brian Orndorf
Sci-Fi Movie Page

Astro Boy is a marvelously designed piece of cartoon kinetics, with the pleasing soft colors and rounded-metal tactility of an atomic-age daydream.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment 2 Comments
10/21/09
Owen Gleiberman
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly

In its best moments, the film exudes an almost Miyazakian love of flight, notably during the hero’s maiden soar through the clouds.

Full Review Source: Time Out New York | comment Comment
10/21/09
Nick Schager
Nick Schager
Time Out New York

The feature-length film, modelled on Pixar films, merges the best of western and eastern animation styles. result is an entertaining film that should satisfy both adults and children.

Full Review Source: Courier Mail (Australia) | comment Comment
10/18/09
Des Partridge
Des Partridge
Courier Mail (Australia)

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

Astro Boy should please new-generation fans as thoroughly as nostalgia-hungry adults who grew up with the cartoons of the 1960s and 1980s.

Full Review Source: The Age (Australia) | comment Comment
10/15/09
Jim Schembri
Jim Schembri
The Age (Australia)

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

Derivative bits aside, the pint-sized Japanese icon takes flight in vibrant CG animation -- no 3D glasses required.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
10/15/09
Michael Rechtshaffen
Michael Rechtshaffen
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

What transpires is a tolerable knock-off of the boom-boom bits from The Incredibles, along with some so-so slapstick filler.

Full Review Source: Herald Sun (Australia) | comment 4 Comments
10/14/09
Leigh Paatsch
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)

Diehard fans should be warned that the movie will not deliver the nostalgic hit they are hoping for. This is not necessarily such a bad thing. At least a new generation is being exposed to Astro Boy.

Full Review Source: Time Out Sydney | comment Comment
10/14/09
Sarah Theeboom
Sarah Theeboom
Time Out Sydney

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)

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

A smart, snappy upgrade doesn't tarnish memories of a childhood favourite.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine Australasia | comment Comment
10/11/09
Ben McEachen
Ben McEachen
Empire Magazine Australasia
 
 
61 - 80 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 >> >|
all

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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