Astro Boy

Directed by: David Bowers

Starring: (voice cast) Freddie Highmore, Nicolas Cage, Donald Sutherland, Kristin Bell, Matt Lucas, Bill Nighy, Nathan Lane, Alan Tudyk, Charlise Theron, Samuel L Jackson

Synopsis:

Far in the future, the floating island of Capital City rides high above the rest of planet Earth, which is uses as a dumping ground for it’s waste and “recycled” products. It’s citizens have every need catered for by robots. Top Government scientists Dr Tenma and Dr Elefun have created two orbs of infinite energy from a crashed meteorite: one is blue “positive” energy, the other red “negative” energy. President Stone plans to use the blue energy to power Capital City’s new defence robot, The Peacekeeper. However President Stone uses the red energy instead, causing the Peacekeeper to go on a rampage which ends with the death of Dr Tenma’s son, Toby. In his grief, Dr Tenma replicates Toby’s image in a new robot, implanting him with Toby’s memories and powering him with the Blue energy orb. As “Toby” comes to realise he now has special abilities, he also discovers that his existence is having the opposite intended effect on Dr Tenma, and he finds himself cast out of Capital City to fend for himself on Earth.

Astroboy is quite unlike many of the non-Pixar animated movies of late, in that it tries to deal with some pretty weighty issues and entertain minds child and adult alike.

The tone is quite subdued and sombre for long periods. Early on it’s clear that although Dr Tenma (an excellent Nic Cage) loves his son, he is devoted more to his work, and there is a streak of Evil Scientist to him too, not caring as much as his colleague Dr Elefun about the ethics of the things they create in their laboratory in the name of Defence for Capital City.

When Toby is killed, things are pretty distressing all round and the whole concept of replacing a dead child with a synthetic one is going to put a lot of parents in a difficult spot trying to explain to their kids what has happened. Even worse when Dr Tenma realises that his “creation” only underlines that fact that his real son is dead.

Luckily there are one or two moments to lighten the mood at this stage. The encounter with Mr Squeegee and Mr Squirt proves quite comical and Toby’s discovery that he can fly is quite exhilarating. Shortly after being abandoned, Toby is involved in a high speed chase which provides a number of one-liners and sight gags worthy of The Simpsons.

Astroboy deals with a lot of big issues – parental responsibility, loss, abandonment, even immigration and racial prejudice – without being too heavy handed with the various messages at play. There are no Big Winks to the audience forcing you to draw parallels. The film’s soundtrack is also thankfully devoid of contemporary pop/indie/rock songs, instead featuring a suitably heroic score by John Ottman (X-Men 2).

Nicolas Cage proves to be the anchor here, just about keeping a lid on some very powerful emotions. Freddie Highmore’s Toby at times seems almost emotionless, such as when he is trying to tell his new friends on Earth that he is a robot. Kristin Bell makes a spunky teen called Cora quite likeable and there is good comedy support from Matt Lucas as the leader of the Robot Revolutionary Army.

The animation is pretty faultless and when things get hectic you never lose your bearings on what is meant to be happening. There are a few continuity errors which adults might pick up on (an on/off energy field during a robot gladiator match).

Astroboy builds to a suitably epic finale – fans of Gozilla movies and Powerpuff Girls will get a kick out of the wholescale destruction at hand as Astroboy faces off against his nemesis.

Verdict:

7 out of 10 (MikeOutWest)

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