You Are Who You Choose To Be
The Iron Giant
Cast: Voices: Jennifer Aniston, Eli Marienthal, Vin Diesel, Christopher McDonald
Director: Brad Bird
Movie Help Web Popcorn Kernels:
I literally ignored this movie when it was out in the theatres, like most of America. When I saw it on video at the local discount store, I picked it up only because of one reason. There was a free "Iron Giant" toy in the shrink wrap. That's it. I knew nothing about the film, other than it was a non-Disney animated show for kids. Even after reading the blurb on the back, I couldn't have cared less about the storyline.
Not that I'm a "throw it in the VCR and let it babysit the kids" kind of mom; I sat and watched it with my son and daughter the first time out. And what a surprise! I absolutely loved this movie. It kept my attention throughout the entire showing - something even "grown-up" movies sometimes fail to do. The Iron Giant was one of those rare movies that had me thinking about it, and it's message LONG after the film was over.
The story centers around a boy (Hogarth) who discovers a giant made of metal (hence the name) that appears to have come from outer space. As the story takes place in the 1950's, at the heart of the cold war with Russia, the rumours that fly over this "creature from space" ignite paranoia and panic. The US Government is called in, in the person of a smarmy agent named Mr. Mansey, and he proceeds to investigate the story with a more than slight attitude of arrogance toward the hick residents.
Another central charactor is Dean McCoppick...voiced by Harry Connick Jr...perfect in this part. Dean is a junk-yard artist, who is befriended by Hogarth after realizing that the giant needs metal to eat. One of my favorite scenes involves Hogath's convincing Dean about the giant - Hogarth drinks cup after cup of espresso and turns into a small boy laced on caffeine...you can just imagine the rest.
I won't go into details beyond this point...some of the storyline is fairly predictable, most of it is not. Suffice to say that I, as an adult, have watched this film several times and it is still very enjoyable.
One point of caution...there are lessons on death and destruction that may be too much for younger children to handle. While I wouldn't recommend NOT watching, make sure you watch with them to explain or comfort if necessary.
The message of the movie is simple, stated first by Dean, and repeated by Hogarth and the giant. "You are who you choose to be." Memorable and wise words we can all benefit from.
