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Astro Boy

Article published 21st Oct 09
Astro Boy Watch

What:
Astro Boy

When:
In cinemas now

Watch Trailer:
Here

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The 1980s cartoon series based on Osamu Tezuka's manga was one of my formative pop-cultural experiences. I remember it being quite dark and existential. That, and Astro would regularly drop from the sky like a stone, moaning, "My energyyyy..." I've had mobiles with better battery life.

This plasticky CGI retelling gives Astro an improved power source - a mysterious blue bauble. In futuristic Metro City, grief-stricken Ministry of Science roboticist Dr Tenma (Nicolas Cage) creates a replica of his dead son Toby (Freddie Highmore) against the advice of his colleague, Dr Elefun (Bill Nighy). It goes predictably pear-shaped, and on the earth's garbage-strewn surface the rejected android tries to fit in with a pack of orphans led by Cora (Kristen Bell). But he must deal with crafty robot circus ringmaster Ham Egg (Nathan Lane) and the vote-hungry President Stone (Donald Sutherland).

It's packed efficiently with action and plot, but Astro Boy rings somewhat hollow. Humankind's callous abuse of robots, and Astro's horror at discovering he is one, are oddly glossed over, and there's little emotional engagement or dramatic tension in Astro's quest to belong. However, he does have machine guns in his butt.

By Mel Campbell

Format: Cinema

Genre: Animation

Keywords: Animation, Film, Astro Boy

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