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The Iron Giant
Metascore
85 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 27 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
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  1. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Jack Mathews
    100
    It's an antidote to complacency. The question is, whom is it trying to wake up?
  2. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Peter Stack
    100
    Heart and tenderness are rare in cartoon movies. But in an age of frenetic children's fare, the new animated adventure The Iron Giant dares to show a lot of both, and it comes up a winner.
  3. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: F. X. Feeney
    100
    One of the best films of the year thus far.
  4. Mr. Showbiz
    Reviewed by: Cody Clark
    93
    Bird's movie neither panders to children nor sneers at them, and it beautifully, lucidly captures the giddy adventurousness of childhood.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Owen Gleiberman
    91
    At times, The Iron Giant is more serene than it needs to be, but it's a lovely and touching daydream.
  6. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Shawn Levy
    91
    One of the best children's movies in years. Spunky, inventive and filled with life and wonder.
  7. Salon.com
    Reviewed by: Mary Elizabeth Williams
    90
    Surprising as it sounds, as far as examinations of trust, loyalty and identity go, the big metal dude's story winds up far more satisfying than the plodding Kubrick opus any day of the week.
  8. Dallas Observer
    Reviewed by: M. V. Moorhead
    90
    An unpretentious, funky, fast-moving work every bit as enchanting as the book.
  9. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kenneth Turan
    90
    Both a step back and a step forward from the trends of modern animation, it feels like a classic even though it's just out of the box.
  10. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marc Savlov
    89
    Clearly the single best, the single coolest (to borrow from Harry Knowles) animated film in a great while.
  11. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    88
    Not just a cute romp but an involving story that has something to say.
  12. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Mark Caro
    88
    An animated tale equipped with heart, humor, blazing action and not a sappy song in earshot.
  13. Charlotte Observer
    Reviewed by: Lawrence Toppman
    88
    Keeps its sense of humor while dealing with serious issues.
  14. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Ken Fox
    80
    A rare adaptation that actually improves upon the original material: It's everything a good children's adventure tale should be, and a powerful fable for adults.
  15. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: J. Hoberman
    80
    Remarkably unassuming, genuinely playful, and superbly executed, The Iron Giant towers over the cartoon landscape.
  16. Film.com
    Reviewed by: John Hartl
    80
    A terrific feature-length cartoon.
  17. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Lawrence Van Gelder
    80
    A smooth, skilled example of animated filmmaking.
  18. Newsweek
    Reviewed by: David Ansen
    80
    This is not exactly standard children's fare, but kids (and their parents) should be smitten by its wit and wisdom.
  19. Time
    Reviewed by: Richard Schickel
    80
    A smart live-and-let-live parable.
  20. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Stephen Hunter
    80
    Still, the movie -- as beautifully drawn, as sleek and engaging as it is -- has the annoyance of incredible smugness.
  21. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: David Sterritt
    75
    This remarkably clever, often hilarious animation derives much of its humor from its satirical view of the 1950s.
  22. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Howard Cohen
    75
    The kind of uplifting film families can enjoy without any reservations.
  23. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Susan Wloszczyna
    75
    We are happy to report there is intelligent life in feature animation beyond planet Disney and the gaseous ball of foul language known as South Park.
  24. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Jay Carr
    75
    A solid, not to say ironclad, winner in the less than overcrowded family animation arena.
  25. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: Paula Nechak
    75
    More intelligent and thought-provoking than the usual dumb and dull-witted fare for children.
  26. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Rosenbaum
    70
    An E.T. spin-off, but it's a very likable and imaginative one.
  27. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Rod Dreher
    63
    In most respects, The Iron Giant is one of the better animated children's films in recent memory, which makes its strident political correctness all the more frustrating.
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
9.2 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 62 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 35
  3. Negative: 2 out of 35
  1. grandpajoe6191
    8
    Brad Bird's "The Iron Giant" makes its mark as a classic animation. It dumps in love and pure honesty into the colorful screen as well as telling a good morale of unity. A definite must watch.… Full Review »
  2. LandF
    8
    Brad Bird has directed two Pixar films; The Incredibles and Ratatouille. Both of these are big favorites of mine. Browsing through films, The Iron Giant caught my eye. I could only hope that I enjoyed this film as much as I did Ratatouille or The Incredibles. The verdict is that the film wasn't was good as either Pixar films, but is more than exceptional entertainment. In fact, this is one of the best non-Pixar animated films I've ever seen. The film opens with a gorgeously animated sequence of a futuristic vehicle flying through space, until it lands in the middle of the ocean where a boat sails nearby. The captain of the boat stares curiously where he saw the flash of light...then a giant 50-foot robot emerges from the ocean. The film only gets better from there. A young boy named Hogarth is at the diner where his Mom works long hours. The boy overhears a conversation about the Iron Giant, and wonders if it truly exists. His question is later answered when he sees the robot near a power plant, and ends up saving the giant's life. The two become friends, though the boy has to hide the giant to avoid the government (and his Mom) from finding out (Think E.T.). The film is quite funny, and it's filled with stunning animation and memorable characters. The story matches up to Pixar quality, in both heart and substance. There are a lot of tricky issues that are discussed in this film; death namely. The Iron Giant is curious about Earth, and one of his experiences is a deer being shot by hunters. The Iron Giant is traumatized by the experience, and Hogarth explains death as well as he can. "Death isn't a bad thing," Hogarth says, "Everyone dies." "You die?" The Iron Giant asks. "Well, yeah, someday." Hogarth says. "...I die?" The Iron Giant ponders. "I...don't know. Maybe..." The film is very thought provoking, and in some of it's many humorous scenes, laugh provoking. It's even a little tear-jerking at times. If you understand or appreciate anything about movies, this film should be viewed as a must-see. Something you have to experience at least once.… Full Review »
  3. fat_funny_freak
    10
    This movie was very touching to me, I loved every part of it and would recommend it to anyone who wants to watch it. Some parts even brought tear to my eye but some parts also scared me when I was young. All in all this movie brings a classic animation to all movies on the market and its for any age to be honest.… Full Review »
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