Iron Giant, The

LA Weekly F. X. Feeney

One of the best films of the year thus far.

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.

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.