That an English-language Astro Boy film has actually made it to the big screen should be considered an accomplishment in itself. Osamu Tezuka’s 1950s manga series inspired a flurry of TV adaptations, and many big names in American animation, including Walt Disney and Jim Henson, subsequently expressed intentions of crafting their own feature-length versions of the classic Japanese tale. Over the next few decades, none of these projects ever came to fruition.
Perhaps it’s fortunate that the various unrealized iterations of an Astro Boy film languished in pre-production, because this CGI version from Imagi Studios accomplishes a feat of visual ingenuity impossible with traditional animation. The film’s visuals are nothing short of astounding, with landscapes so life-like that fields of grass undulate with startling realism. Optical allure aside, Astro Boy is both touching and entertaining — a cleverly conceived origin story of a beloved robot hero.
After losing his son, robotics expert, Dr. Tenma (Nicholas Cage) creates an android replica of his child. Powered by the doctor’s top-secret energy source, Astro Boy has incredible strength and power. These superhuman abilities, however, only remind Dr. Tenma that he will never be able to truly replace his son. Disillusioned with his creation, Dr. Tenma banishes Astro Boy, who finds solace with a group of orphans living on the planet’s junk-strewn surface.
Although its plot is similar to Spielberg's A.I., Astro Boy's story is mostly lighthearted. The story of Astro Boy’s rejection and subsequent search for his place is poignant, but not cloyingly sentimental. The script is just right, striking the perfect balance of action, comedy, and even tear-jerking drama. The film is a delight for all ages, but its stellar graphics alone make the experience worthwhile.
