SYNOPSIS:
Set in futuristic Metro City, Astro Boy is a young robot with incredible powers created by a brilliant scientist named Dr. Tenma. Powered by positive "blue" energy, Astro Boy is endowed with super strength, x-ray vision, unbelievable speed and the ability to fly. Embarking on a journey in search of acceptance, Astro Boy encounters many other colorful characters along the way. Through his adventures, he learns the joys and emotions of being human, and gains the strength to embrace his destiny. Ultimately learning his friends and family are in danger, Astro Boy marshals his awesome super powers and returns to Metro City in a valiant effort to save everything he cares about and to understand what it means to be a hero.
MOVIE REVIEW:
The
classic Japanese cartoon icon, "Astro Boy" created
by the late manga master, Osamu Tezuka gets a CG treatment
from Hong Kong based animation studio, Imagi after years of
being in production limbo.
The story is set in the futuristic Metro
City where the son of a brilliant scientist, Dr Tenma (Nicolas
Cage) is killed in a freak robotic experiment. Unable to cope
with the loss of his beloved son, Toby, Dr Tenma creates Astro
Boy (Freddie Highmore) using the remnants of Toby as a form
of substitution. Despite the advanced technology used, Dr
Tenma realized Toby in the end can’t be replicated and
ultimately reject the presence of Astro Boy. With that, Astro
Boy joins the rest of the outcasts on earth and searches for
his destiny.
Though the computer animation is generated
in the East, the writings by director David Bowers and Timothy
Harris are purely tailored for the family demographics (east
and west included) as a whole. The movie actually touches
on issues such as death and loss but it’s presented
with such delicacy that it serves to be more educational than
imposing. The underlying theme of over-relying on technology
is a satirical take on our ever busy lifestyle but the tender
relationship between father-and-son is the one that will tug
at your heartstrings. In fact, it may take a while for Astro
Boy to truly take off, literally speaking.
The filmmakers took some initiatives to establish
the character of Astro Boy, same goes to the rest of the various
supporting characters such as Astro’s friend Cora (Kristin
Bell), Eugene Levy’s Orrin, a hilarious trash-can like
dogbot and setting up the motives of the baddies, Ham Egg
(Nathan Lane) and the ambitious President Stone (Donald Sutherland)
with a good mixture of clever writing and funny gags threw
in.
Once
the plot starts going, it never lets up. There are plenty
of fights and exciting aerial sequences to keep the younger
ones to their seats (which is a pity Astro Boy is not presented
in 3D during its theatrical run) especially when Astro Boy
returns to rescue Metro City which is under siege. The animation
might not be on par with the standards of Pixar and DreamWorks,
the visual still stands out as colourful and eye-catching
blended with some really stunning backdrops and the gifted
voicework truly contribute a lot.
While
"Astro Boy" might not go down well with the purists,
this Hollywoodlised version of the classic manga is surprisingly,
a much more interesting affair to sit through than the average
ones. Just ask any kids on the street, who doesn’t like
a hero with cannons stuck to his chest and butt?
SPECIAL FEATURES :
NIL
AUDIO/VISUAL:
The Dolby Digital 2.0 contributes a decent but not
overwhelming listening experience owing to its limitation.
The visual presentation is detailed and colourful enough,
overall a delight for a CG animation.
MOVIE RATING:
 
DVD
RATING :
Review
by Linus Tee
Posted on 17 March 2010
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