The Iron Giant -- the Best Animated Film You’ve Never Seen

There's a particular DVD that adorns my shelf of movies that I find myself pulling out at least once a year to enjoy. It's a 1999 title that surprisingly never seemed to gather a lot of accolades, let alone have someone go, "Oh, yeah. I love that movie!" Last weekend, however, I ended up watching it almost twice through thanks to my sweet little granddaughter who tells me, "Show me the robot who comes back together, Papa!"

Directed by Brad Bird (The Incredibles, Ratatouille), The Iron Giant is set in 1957, at the height of the Cold War. Featuring a combination of hand drawn and computer generated artwork from Warner Bros. Animation, the film lends a warm, harvest-time kind of feel with rich colors and hues. (I've read comments from professional artists over the years who list this as their favorite animated film.) Vocal talents are handled by Jennifer Aniston, Vin Diesel, Harry Connick, Jr., Eli Marienthal, Christopher McDonald and John Mahoney.

We aren't told why the giant iron man comes hurtling through outer space and crash lands in the waters off of Rockwell, Maine. At first it seems that he might be something to fear, but this metal-eating robot is different. Though he does hide great defensive power within, he's friendly and curious and finds a friend in young Hogarth Hughes, a boy being raised by his single mother. The government, however, has a different take. Once learning of the "intruder", they believe the robot must be destroyed bringing the military's might to bear, culminating in a very tearful ending that chokes me up every single time.

The Music

This movie is great not only for what it has but for what it doesn't have. For example, there are no cutesy song and dance numbers like you'd find in a Disney film like Beauty and the Beast or Tarzan.

It's not that I don't enjoy songs and singing in an animated film (after all who didn't get The Little Mermaid's, "Under The Sea" stuck in their head for a time?) but those kinds of songs fit a different kind of movie and The Iron Giant isn't one of them. That's not to say that Michael Kamen's score doesn't fit. It does. It blends perfectly. Why, his work on this film even won him an Annie Award for music in an animated feature production.

The Humor

I love a swimming scene that takes place midway through the film where Hogarth goes for a dip, showing off his diving skills into a chilly lake. Dean, the film's artsy character is sitting nearby reading a newspaper as teeth-chattering Hogarth calls from the water, "C..c…come.. o..on…i…i…in! The water's g..g..great!" Dean dismisses him with a rattle of newspaper, as the giant looks on. And then it appears that the he too will shy away from the frigid fun as he walks away into the woods.

What happens next caught me so by surprise, that I still delight in watching others faces as the scene plays out. Why, I even turn up the surround sound several notches so the full, hilarious effect is both seen and felt. Oh, what fun!

The Camera Angles

Perhaps you've never realized it, but camera placement has a great deal to do with how a scene or movie is felt - and animated film is no exception. The Iron Giant uses a vast array of low, high and overhead shots, and they fill the story with a dimension that creeps in on your subconscious. Take a look at picture #3 above, the shot of the town over the Robot's shoulders. In the movie the camera pans with the Robot's turning head as he gazes down. It is such a powerful scene, with deep, tacit emotions being conveyed, and it's all being done without words. For me, it is one of the most awesome scenes in the movie, and I can scarcely watch it without a lump in my throat.

The Comic Book Connection

In a beautiful little scene inside his barn, young Hogarth shows off some of his comic book collection, patiently explaining to the quiet giant about the "villains" and the good guys. "You're not one of those," he explains pointing to a scary robot that looks like it's out of the pages of "War of the Worlds". "You're like this," and with that, he points to a flying Superman from the front of a comic book. "Super-man", the giant intones slowly. And with those words comes a feeling that this Robot just made a cosmic connection with the flying crusader. He is choosing to identify with the good guys - a choice that will have heart-rending consequences later in the film.

"Souls don't die."

Young Hogarth, after spending time with The Iron Giant and getting to know him, makes the determination that this iron man has a soul - and I can't help but agree. As the climax of the film plays out, I couldn't help but be reminded of a similar theme that runs through some of my short stories (or even true stories.) Thankfully, there are "Supermen" who still live today, who consider others better than themselves.

Yes, they're rare. But when you see one - whether animated or flesh and blood - oh, what a treat.

Haven't seen The Iron Giant? Though I wish it would be released on blu-ray, the DVD still packs a powerful punch.

Put it on your list... and grab a box of tissues too.

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Other Resources:
The Iron Giant - Yahoo Movies
Rotten Tomatoes - The Iron Giant
A Decade Later, The Iron Giant's Weaponized Soul Still Stirs - Wired.com