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Movies / Upcoming / Astro Boy
Astro Boy

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Astro Boy (2009)

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Reviews Counted:83

Fresh:40

Rotten:43

Average Rating:5.7/10

Consensus: While it isn't terribly original, and it seems to have a political agenda that may rankle some viewers, Astro Boy boasts enough visual thrills to please its target demographic.

Australian Rating: TBC

Genre: Childrens

Australian Theatrical Release:
Oct 10, 2009 Wide

US Box Office: $17,965,336

Synopsis: Few characters have made as powerful or as lasting an impression on international popular culture as Astro Boy. The little robot first appeared in 1951 as a character in the celebrated artist and... Few characters have made as powerful or as lasting an impression on international popular culture as Astro Boy. The little robot first appeared in 1951 as a character in the celebrated artist and animator Osamu Tezuka’s legendary manga(Japanese comic book) and became an instant icon. He was subsequently featured as the star of his own television series in both black-and white and in color, eventually airing in over 40 countries. Astro Boy created the standard for a new form of animation that has become world famous as anime.

Now for the first time, Astro Boy will be brought to life on the big screen. Created with breathtaking computer animation from Imagi Studios, the film Astro Boy is a thrilling tale of a true hero. The film is set to debut in theaters on October 23, 2009.

Set in futuristic Metro City, Astro Boy is about a young robot with incredible powers created by a brilliant scientist named Dr. Tenma (Nicolas Cage). Powered by positive “blue” energy, Astro Boy (Freddie Highmore) is endowed with super strength, x-ray vision, unbelievable speed and the ability to fly. Embarking on a journey in search of acceptance, Astro Boy encounters many other colorful characters along the way. Through his adventures, he learns the joys and emotions of being human, and gains the strength to embrace his destiny. Ultimately learning his friends and family are in danger, Astro Boy marshals his awesome super powers and returns toMetro City in a valiant effort to save everything he cares about and to understand what it means to be a hero. --© Summit [More]

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Kristen Bell, Bill Nighy, Freddie Highmore

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Kristen Bell, Bill Nighy, Freddie Highmore, Donald Sutherland, Eugene Levy, Nathan Lane, Matt Lucas, Sterling Beaumon, Madeline Carroll, Charlize Theron

Director: David Bowers

Director: David Bowers
Screenwriter: Timothy Harris, David Bowers
Studio: Summit Entertainment

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Reviews for Astro Boy

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 >> >|
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The feature-length film, modelled on Pixar films, merges the best of western and eastern animation styles. result is an entertaining film that should satisfy both adults and children.

Full Review Source: Courier Mail (Australia) | comment Comment
10/18/09
Des Partridge
Des Partridge
Courier Mail (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It strays too far from the original to please hard-core fans and it is so confused in tone and purpose that it is hard to tell where it's aimed.

Full Review Source: Sydney Morning Herald | comment Comment
10/15/09
Paul Byrnes
Paul Byrnes
Sydney Morning Herald
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Astro Boy should please new-generation fans as thoroughly as nostalgia-hungry adults who grew up with the cartoons of the 1960s and 1980s.

Full Review Source: The Age (Australia) | comment Comment
10/15/09
Jim Schembri
Jim Schembri
The Age (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

What transpires is a tolerable knock-off of the boom-boom bits from The Incredibles, along with some so-so slapstick filler.

Full Review Source: Herald Sun (Australia) | comment 4 Comments
10/14/09
Leigh Paatsch
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Diehard fans should be warned that the movie will not deliver the nostalgic hit they are hoping for. This is not necessarily such a bad thing. At least a new generation is being exposed to Astro Boy.

Full Review Source: Time Out Sydney | comment Comment
10/14/09
Sarah Theeboom
Sarah Theeboom
Time Out Sydney
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

An exciting action-packed story with a host of fantastic voice actors, this is a contender for best animated movie of the year.

Full Review Source: FILMINK (Australia) | comment Comment
10/13/09
Annette Basile
Annette Basile
FILMINK (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A smart, snappy upgrade doesn't tarnish memories of a childhood favourite.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine Australasia | comment Comment
10/11/09
Ben McEachen
Ben McEachen
Empire Magazine Australasia
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The symbolism and the underlying themes within this story may not be relevant to its core audience, but it's interesting to see how filmmakers feed off those elements

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment 7 Comments
10/08/09
Andrew L. Urban
Andrew L. Urban
Urban Cinefile
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It may be the gleaming blue core power source that allows Astro Boy to function as a superhero robot, but it is the massive heart of the story that makes this updated animated spectacular a sure-fire winner

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
10/08/09
Louise Keller
Louise Keller
Urban Cinefile
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Director David Bowers supplies just enough heart and more than enough humor to make "Astro Boy" an agreeable entertainment.

Full Review Source: Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL) | comment Comment
11/11/09
Jeffrey Westhoff
Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

Just dub this one Where the Mild Things Are.

Full Review Source: Creative Loafing | comment Comment
11/02/09
Matt Brunson
Matt Brunson
Creative Loafing

More than anything, Astro Boy is simply fun to watch.

Full Review Source: Christianity Today | comment 1 Comment
10/31/09
Russ Breimeier
Russ Breimeier
Christianity Today

It looks good, but if this Astro Boy is going to launch a new series, one can only hope the writing the next time out is not as, well... robotic.

Full Review Source: New England Movies Weekly | comment Comment
10/29/09
Daniel M. Kimmel
Daniel M. Kimmel
New England Movies Weekly

Not the greatest animated action film but much better than "Speed Racer"

Full Review Source: jackiekcooper.com | comment Comment
10/27/09
Jackie K. Cooper
Jackie K. Cooper
jackiekcooper.com

I just felt like this was a mistranslation -- almost trying to combine the slightly sinister, cold world of Japanese anime with the warm, sentimental, fuzzy, bouncy world of Hollywood kid animation.

Full Review Source: At the Movies | comment Comment
10/26/09
A.O. Scott
A.O. Scott
At the Movies

Astro Boy stands on its own as a nifty piece of animated fun, full of good lessons, brisk pacing and humour and sweetness the original anime sometimes lacked. It does Osamu Tezuka's source creation proud.

Full Review Source: TheDivaReview.com | comment Comment
10/25/09
Diva Velez
Diva Velez
TheDivaReview.com

I have just one complaint. It should have been 3-D. A solid, kid-friendly story with a floating city filled with high-tech gizmos and gadgets deserves the extra dimension.

Full Review Source: Tri-City Herald | comment 1 Comment
10/25/09
Gary Wolcott
Gary Wolcott
Tri-City Herald

Here's a movie with an origin that's almost more interesting than that of its 'Astro Boy' hero

Full Review Source: Quad City Times (Davenport, IA) | comment Comment
10/24/09
Linda Cook
Linda Cook
Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

I don't know how parents are going to feel about taking their kids to see Astro Boy, but I kind of respect where it goes.

Full Review Source: Can Magazine | comment Comment
10/23/09
Fred Topel
Fred Topel
Can Magazine

a big selling point for my kids to see this movie was the line, 'I have machine guns... in my butt?' Viewer, be warned.

Full Review Source: 7M Pictures | comment 2 Comments
10/23/09
Kevin Carr
Kevin Carr
7M Pictures
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
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Latest News for Astro Boy

October 22, 2009: Critics Consensus: Astro Boy Doesn't Quite Soar
This week at the movies, we've got an anime hero (Astro Boy, with voice work from Kristen Bell and Nicolas Cage); a vampire war ( Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant,... More...

October 03, 2009: Astro Boy: Movie Review, Photos, Trailer, Poster Opens in new window
More...

September 27, 2009: New: View the Brand New Trailer Here. Opens in new window
More...

August 12, 2009: Trailer Bulletin: Astro Boy Opens in new window
The full official trailer for Imagi's anime feature finally arrives. More...

See All

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