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| Gary Wolcott's "Mr. Movie" column has appeared in the Tri-City Herald since 1992. The Tri-City native now lives in Portland, Ore., and watches about 250 movies each year. He believes movies are made to be seen on theater screens and should be seen there and not on television screens. Have a question for Mr. Movie? Click on "Add Comment" below. |
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closeThursday, Oct. 22, 2009
'Astro Boy' flies well and kid-friendly
By Gary Wolcott, atomictown.com
The son of a famous scientist in Metro City dies in a tragic accident.
-- Local show times, theaters.
His mourning father puts his sons personality in a robot and gives him an arsenal of unique weapons for protection.
Ultimately rejected by dad, the boy goes to the Earths surface and finds friendship and adventure.
Astro Boy is one of the few animated flicks these days actually produced for kids and not adults. Writer/director David Bowers (Flushed Away) and writer Timothy Harris (Space Jam) update the story a bit but keep the1950s and 1960s flavor of the original Japanese characters and the morals of the times. By the way, the 1963 TV series is the grandfather of the animation style that became known as anime.
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 needs the extra dimension. It would have been stunning.
Mr. Movie rating: 4 1/2 stars
Rated PG for mild mature themes. It opens Friday, Oct. 23 at the Carmike 12 and at the Fairchild Cinemas 12.
5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it's your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on video.
2 stars to 1 star: Don't bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.
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