Astro Boy

Astro Boy has been around for decades. The series started off as a black and white cartoon and has had many different incarnations over the years. I was excited to hear Astro Boy was being made into a CGI movie.  I never got the opportunity to watch it until now.

The movie gives background on the character that I never knew before. Astro Boy comes from a floating island in the sky of technological automated wonders called Metro City. The human inhabitants are serviced by robotic helpers that do every conceivable chore. The creator of Astro Boy, Dr. Tenma (voiced by Nicolas Cage) whose son Toby is vaporized by a run-away "Peacekeeper" robot, decides to create a robot duplicate to replace him. 

He created the robot so that he would be powerful enough to prevent harm from ever befalling him again. This includes outfitting him with rocket boots and arms that transform into powerful blaster cannons. Dr. Tenma successfully brings "Toby" back to life, infused with all the memories of his late son. 

The robot "Toby" even bears a striking resemblance to his deceased son. Tenma bonds with the robot and schools him from home. Everything seems wonderful for a time until Tenma realizes that this robot is not his son--but merely a machine--and rejects him.  

Blaster cannons activated

Tunneling thru the ground was trademark tactic in the cartoon.

After being hunted down so he can be deactivated, Toby ends up getting blown off the floating island and wakes up in scrap heap of robot parts on the surface below. The surface has become a wasteland of refuse cast off from the island above.  There is a civilization of humans and robots existing under less hospitable conditions on the surface as well. It is here that Toby gets the name Astro as he continues his search for acceptance. 

Astro on the surface pretending not to be a robot.

Flying high above Metro City

The voice cast also includes notable actors such as, Kristen Bell, Charlize Theron, Samuel L. Jackson, Nathan Lane, Freddie Highmore and Donald Sutherland.

Astro Boy vs. Peacekeeper

The special effects, the CGI and the battles are nothing short of amazing. Especially the final battle at the end between Astro Boy and the gigantic "Peacekeeper" robot. 

Where the movie falters is its depiction of Astro Boy. To satisfy the delicate sensibilities of the American audience, they decided to give Astro Boy a full set of clothes.  Normally he appears in just a pair of speedos.

Astro Boy from the cartoon series.

Seriously, its just a robot. There's no need for modesty. Fortunately at the end, we get to see Astro Boy in his true form. I think its a great movie for younger audiences but probably not as captivating for an older one. Personally I'd like to have seen a lot more action, but for an origin movie it wasn't bad. For taking me back to my childhood and the spectacular effects, I'll give Astro Boy 3.5 fingers out of 5.