Astro Boy (2009)

When an android replica of a boy is rejected by his aggrieved creator, he goes off to find his own identity in an adventure that would make him the greatest hero of his time.

Director:

David Bowers

Writers:

Osamu Tezuka (manga), David Bowers (story)

Stars:

Freddie Highmore, Nicolas Cage, Kristen Bell

4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charlize Theron	...	'Our Friends' Narrator (voice)
Freddie Highmore	...	Astro / Toby (voice)
Ryan Stiles	...	Mr. Moustachio / Burning Robot (voice)
Eugene Levy	...	Orrin (voice)
Nicolas Cage	...	Dr. Tenma (voice)
Donald Sutherland	...	President Stone (voice)
Bill Nighy	...	Dr. Elefun / Robotsky (voice)
David Alan Grier	...	Mr. Squirt / Math Cowboy / Boxer Robot (voice)
Alan Tudyk	...	Mr. Squeegee / Scrapheap Head / Stinger Two (voice)
Newell Alexander	...	General Heckler (voice)
Bob Logan	...	Stinger One (voice)
Dee Bradley Baker	...	Trashcan (voice)
Kristen Bell	...	Cora (voice)
Moises Arias	...	Zane (voice)
Sterling Beaumon	...	Sludge (voice)

Storyline

Set in futuristic Metro City, Astro Boy is about a young robot with incredible powers created by a brilliant scientist in the image of the son he has lost. Unable to fulfill the grieving man's expectations, our hero embarks on a journey in search of acceptance, experiencing betrayal and a netherworld of robot gladiators, before he returns to save Metro City and reconcile with the father who had rejected him.

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Plot Keywords:

robot | scientist | gladiator | betrayal | futuristic | 

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Taglines:

Have a blast.

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Genres:

Animation | Action | Comedy | Family | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [China]

Country:

Japan Hong Kong USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 October 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Astroboy

Box Office

Budget:

$65,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,702,923, 25 October 2009, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$19,548,064, 17 January 2010

Company Credits

Production Co:

Imagi Animation Studios, Imagi Crystal, Tezuka Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film takes place in 2108.

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Goofs

Despite being subjected to incredible stresses of "tractor beams" and multiple direct missile and cannon hits, Astro's ordinary clothes aren't damaged. At worst, they get a little bit dirty.

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Quotes

Cora: So, where are you from, non-robot?
Astro Boy: I'm from Metro City.
Cora: [sarcastically] Metro City? Can't you believe it, guys? He's from Metro City and he's actually talking to me.
Astro Boy: Are you feeling okay?
Cora: Oh, my Gosh! He talked to me twice! This is definitely going in my diary as the most exciting day of my life!

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Crazy Credits

After the end credits, a card stating "When in Hong Kong, visit Imagi Studios" The art is the same classic style as the opening, with a tram touring a back lot. This is much like what Universal studios did at the end of their films.

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Connections

Referenced in Hewy's Animated Movie Reviews: Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

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Soundtracks

Marching Down the Field
Composed by Harry Edwards
Courtesy of APM Music LLC

User Reviews

Why is it so dark ?

Based on a manga by the late Osamu Tezuka, this US version of Astro Boy only takes cursory hint from the original story, and reinvents the entire story.

Dr. Tenma loses his son Tobi, and to substitute for the loss, creates the robot Astro Boy in the image of his late son.

First, the image of this movie is very dark. I see this frequently in 3D animation. I guess it's to hide some weakness that's yet to be overcome in this technology, but this makes things look creepy. A movie that's targeted (I believe) for young audience looks like horror movie in its visuals. Second, the charm that was there in the original Astro Boy saga has been totally stripped away in this Hollywood version. It's increased "reality" is in the wrong direction, and slowed the story down considerably. This often happens in movies translated from original comics (Like Marvel's Fantastic Four). The original manga had lot more speed, and brilliance to the story.

It's recommended that Tezuka's manga be read, and '60s TV anime series seen before seeing this movie. '60s anime series was supervised by Tezuka himself, and there were lot more emotion, and action to Astro Boy's character. People surrounding Astro Boy were lot more "human" as well. Even the more recent TV anime series had better pace than this movie.

So not a very good translation from the original material, and is not recommended for viewing.