| 100 |
LA Weekly
One of the best films of the year thus far.
|
| 100 |
San Francisco Chronicle
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.
|
| 100 |
New York Daily News
It's an antidote to complacency. The question is, whom is it trying to wake up?
|
| 93 |
Mr. Showbiz
Bird's movie neither panders to children nor sneers at them, and it beautifully, lucidly captures the giddy adventurousness of childhood.
|
| 91 |
Portland Oregonian
One of the best children's movies in years. Spunky, inventive and filled with life and wonder.
|
| 91 |
Entertainment Weekly
At times, The Iron Giant is more serene than it needs to be, but it's a lovely and touching daydream.
|
| 90 |
Dallas Observer
M. V. Moorhead
An unpretentious, funky, fast-moving work every bit as enchanting as the book.
|
| 90 |
Salon.com
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.
|
| 90 |
Los Angeles Times
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.
|
| 89 |
Austin Chronicle
Clearly the single best, the single coolest (to borrow from Harry Knowles) animated film in a great while.
|
| 88 |
Chicago Sun-Times
Not just a cute romp but an involving story that has something to say.
|
| 88 |
Chicago Tribune
An animated tale equipped with heart, humor, blazing action and not a sappy song in earshot.
|
| 88 |
Charlotte Observer
Keeps its sense of humor while dealing with serious issues.
|
| 80 |
Washington Post
Still, the movie -- as beautifully drawn, as sleek and engaging as it is -- has the annoyance of incredible smugness.
|
| 80 |
The New York Times
A smooth, skilled example of animated filmmaking.
|
| 80 |
Time
A smart live-and-let-live parable.
|
| 80 |
TV Guide
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.
|
| 80 |
Newsweek
This is not exactly standard children's fare, but kids (and their parents) should be smitten by its wit and wisdom.
|
| 80 |
Village Voice
Remarkably unassuming, genuinely playful, and superbly executed, The Iron Giant towers over the cartoon landscape.
|
| 80 |
Film.com
A terrific feature-length cartoon.
|
| 75 |
Boston Globe
A solid, not to say ironclad, winner in the less than overcrowded family animation arena.
|
| 75 |
Christian Science Monitor
This remarkably clever, often hilarious animation derives much of its humor from its satirical view of the 1950s.
|
| 75 |
Miami Herald
The kind of uplifting film families can enjoy without any reservations.
|
| 75 |
USA Today
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.
|
| 75 |
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
More intelligent and thought-provoking than the usual dumb and dull-witted fare for children.
|
| 70 |
Chicago Reader
An E.T. spin-off, but it's a very likable and imaginative one.
|
| 63 |
New York Post
Rod Dreher
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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