Critic Reviews

One of the best films of the year thus far.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

Despite its p.c., humanistic overtones, the film manages to integrate the humor and action of a kid’s adventure tale and the message of a political allegory without beingheavy-handed.