Astro Boy (2009)

Director:

David Bowers

Writers:

Osamu Tezuka (comic series)
Timothy Harris (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

23 October 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Action | Family | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Have a blast.

Plot:

Set in futuristic Metro City, Astro Boy is about a young robot with incredible powers created by a brilliant...

Plot Keywords:

Robot | Scientist | Compassion | Integrity | Computer Animation

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Nicolas Cage	...	Dr. Tenma (voice)
Kristen Bell	...	Cora (voice)
Charlize Theron	...	'Our Friends' Narrator (voice)
Samuel L. Jackson	...	Zog (voice)
Eugene Levy	...	Orrin (voice)
Bill Nighy	...	Dr. Elefun (voice)
Freddie Highmore	...	Astro Boy (voice)
Donald Sutherland	...	President Stone (voice)
Nathan Lane	...	Ham Egg (voice)
Moises Arias	...	Zane (voice)
Matt Lucas	...	Sparx (voice)
Ryan Stiles	...	Mr. Pistachio (voice)
Madeline Carroll	...	Widget / Grace (voice)
Sterling Beaumon	...	Sludge (voice)
Victor Bonavida	...	Sam (voice)
Tony Matthews	...	Cora's Dad (voice)

Also Known As:

Astroboy (International: English title) (alternative spelling)
Atom (Japan)

MPAA:

Rated PG for some action and peril, and brief mild language.

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

Hong Kong | USA | Japan

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:PG (certificate #45465) | Japan:G | New Zealand:PG | Australia:PG | Hong Kong:I | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Singapore:PG | South Korea:All | Ireland:PG | UK:PG

Company:

Imagi Animation Studios

Trivia:

Towards the end of the teaser trailer we see a man in a red cap and glasses with a big nose as Astroboy flies by. This is the frequent self-caricature of Osamu Tezuka.

Quotes:

Astro Boy: What? I got machine guns... in my butt?

Movie Connections:

References "Zentrix" (2001)

Nice family movie

I never expected to see some high-art film when I saw the trailer for the movie. It's Astro Boy, the kid fighting evil aliens or robots on Saturday mornings. I expect it to be just a movie about a young super kid fighting.. well.. robots and aliens.

So when I walked into the movie I was pleasantly surprised that there are more than fighting in the movie. I was touched in many places where the father (Dr. Tenma) and son (Toby/ Astro)'s bittersweet relationship is shown. The acting is GREAT! Both by the actors (Nicholas Cage, Donald Sutherland, Nathan Lane, they're all great) and by the animators in Hong Kong.

There are also many funny moments, although not enough time was given to laugh at them. I wish the pacing was a bit slower at the start of the movie (but I read many people were bored at the start of the movie). Well.. the problem is that they need to zip in all the story about the beginning of Astroboy, in about 15-20 minutes time.

I love the little robots like Trash Can and the RRF. They are such relief makers in the movie. Most of the funny moments came from them.

I read reviews about certain political agendas etc, in the movie. But i disagree. Those statements are only made to support the story, and shouldn't be looked at with too much thought. Remember this is a kid's movie, and should be taken lightly as an entertainment source, don't think too much about it.

I don't really get why the box office for this movie is so bad. I mean, this is WAY BETTER THAN Bee Movie, or Space Chimps, or Open Season 2... SERIOUSLY. It deserves better.

I went to see this movie on a Saturday and there were a lot of parents with kids in the cinema. When the movie finished the kids were happy and thrilled and said "That was awesome!" Take your kids to this movie. They'll love it.