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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.

Iron Giant, The
Warner Brothers


9.0

based on 27 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 31 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie

FILM:

MPAA RATING: PG for fantasy action and mild language

Starring Jennifer Aniston, Vin Diesel, Harry Connick, Jr., Christopher McDonald, John Mahoney, Eli Marienthal, James Gammon, and Cloris Leachman

A giant metal machine falls to Earth in 1950s Maine, frightening townspeople. However, the robot befriends a nine-year-old boy named Hogarth who must save it from the predjudices of the townspeople and from a government agent intent on destroying the robot.

GENRE(S):	Sci-fi
WRITTEN BY:	Brad Bird Tim McCanlies Ted Hughes (book)
DIRECTED BY:	Brad Bird
RELEASE DATE:	DVD: November 23, 1999 Video: November 23, 1999 Theatrical: August 6, 1999
RUNNING TIME:	86 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	USA

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

LA Weekly F. X. Feeney

One of the best films of the year thus far.

100

San Francisco Chronicle Peter Stack

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 Jack Mathews

It's an antidote to complacency. The question is, whom is it trying to wake up?

Mr. Showbiz Cody Clark

Bird's movie neither panders to children nor sneers at them, and it beautifully, lucidly captures the giddy adventurousness of childhood.

Portland Oregonian Shawn Levy

One of the best children's movies in years. Spunky, inventive and filled with life and wonder.

Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

At times, The Iron Giant is more serene than it needs to be, but it's a lovely and touching daydream.

Dallas Observer M. V. Moorhead

An unpretentious, funky, fast-moving work every bit as enchanting as the book.

Salon.com Mary Elizabeth Williams

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.

Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

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.

Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov

Clearly the single best, the single coolest (to borrow from Harry Knowles) animated film in a great while.

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

Not just a cute romp but an involving story that has something to say.

Chicago Tribune Mark Caro

An animated tale equipped with heart, humor, blazing action and not a sappy song in earshot.

Charlotte Observer Lawrence Toppman

Keeps its sense of humor while dealing with serious issues.

Washington Post Stephen Hunter

Still, the movie -- as beautifully drawn, as sleek and engaging as it is -- has the annoyance of incredible smugness.

The New York Times Lawrence Van Gelder

A smooth, skilled example of animated filmmaking.

Time Richard Schickel

A smart live-and-let-live parable.

TV Guide Ken Fox

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.

Newsweek David Ansen

This is not exactly standard children's fare, but kids (and their parents) should be smitten by its wit and wisdom.

Village Voice J. Hoberman

Remarkably unassuming, genuinely playful, and superbly executed, The Iron Giant towers over the cartoon landscape.

Film.com John Hartl

A terrific feature-length cartoon.

Boston Globe Jay Carr

A solid, not to say ironclad, winner in the less than overcrowded family animation arena.

Christian Science Monitor David Sterritt

This remarkably clever, often hilarious animation derives much of its humor from its satirical view of the 1950s.

Miami Herald Howard Cohen

The kind of uplifting film families can enjoy without any reservations.

USA Today Susan Wloszczyna

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.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Paula Nechak

More intelligent and thought-provoking than the usual dumb and dull-witted fare for children.

Chicago Reader Jonathan Rosenbaum

An E.T. spin-off, but it's a very likable and imaginative one.

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.

The average user rating for this movie is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 31 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

[Anonymous] gave it a10:
This movie was great.. I liked the giant robot learning not to kill, and about the boy teaching him, and being his friend... This movie has a good moral, i expected less excitement, but it gave me soo much excitement!!!!!

Sophie gave it a10:
By far one of the greatest animations ever made. Very underrated, but it's finally starting to get the recognition of critics and public alike, and it's great when a family-friendly cartoon is fantastic and intelligent entertainment for both kids, teens and adults. I really mean it - this is a rare thing, the type of wonderful movie they won't make anymore... Watch it and LOVE it.

Scott B. gave it a10:
One of the best and most moving movies -- animated or otherwise -- of all time.

Daniel K. gave it a10:
This movie not only has a good story; but it has heart. Along with a couple of comedic moments, there are morals that almost anyone can relate to.

Arthur S. gave it a10:
This is one of the most underrated animations ever made. By far one of the best. You will not be disappointed.

Riren gave it a9:
Nostalgic animation at its best. Its outdated politics are shielded by that same sense of nostalgia. Its underpinnings are all strong, with a great voice cast and top notch animation. Its overall quality earns it all its conceits, creating a heartwarming and silly adventure for children and adults who still have a child at heart.

Jake M. gave it a10:
Take that Pixar. As close to animated perfection as you can come and not be Miyazaki. Absolutely brilliant.

Iron Giant, The Warner Brothers

Iron Giant, The
Warner Brothers