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Astro Boy
2009 94 min Japan, United States of America, Hong Kong PG 12+
★6.1
Animation, Action, Family, Science Fiction
Director: David Bowers
💬 Based on the comic
«Astro Boy»
byOsamu Tezuka
Trailers
EN
Teaser
Teaser
Description
Set in the futuristic Metro City, Astro Boy (Atom) is a young robot with incredible powers created by a brilliant scientist in the image of the son he had lost. Unable to fulfill his creator's expectations, Astro embarks on a journey in search of acceptance, experiencing betrayal and a netherworld of robot gladiators, before returning to save Metro City and reconcile with the father who rejected him.
Budget:
$10M
US Gross:
$19.55M
Worldwide:
$19.55M
Starring
Freddie Highmore
Actor
Nicolas Cage
Actor
Kristen Bell
Actor
Awards
4 nominations total
Key opinion
Astro Boy is generally viewed as a visually polished and well-intentioned family film that succeeds as an accessible, if formulaic, adaptation. While many appreciate its earnest moral themes and vibrant animation, critics frequently point to a lack of narrative depth and inconsistent humor as the film's primary weaknesses.
| Production | The film utilizes high-quality 3D animation that effectively blends vibrant, futuristic cityscapes with faithful interpretations of classic manga character designs. | |
| Score | The musical score serves as a highlight, consistently praised for its beauty and ability to amplify the film's atmosphere and emotional beats. | |
| Theme | The narrative's moral core, which explores themes of self-sacrifice, parental betrayal, and the definition of a soul, resonates with younger audiences while providing a serious, instructive tone. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is viewed as a mixed bag; some find the story engaging and emotionally touching, while others criticize it for being predictable, illogical, and lacking the necessary depth to fully develop its philosophical concepts. | |
| Humor | Opinions on humor are divided: some viewers find the jokes charming or subtle, while a significant portion of critics dismiss the comedic elements as weak, template-driven, or entirely absent. | |
| Pacing | While many praise the pacing as suitable for a quick, entertaining watch, others find the narrative flow disjointed, particularly citing a lack of momentum in the second half of the film. |