When Toby is killed in a freak lab accident, his scientist dad brings him back to life as an indestructible robot! Check out Kidzworld’s review of Astro Boy!
When Toby is killed in a freak lab accident, his scientist dad brings him back to life as an indestructible robot! Check out Kidzworld’s review of Astro Boy!
Osaka Origins
Astro Boy is based on a Japanese comic book from 1952 created by Osamu Tezuka. Astro Boy has since become a cult figure in Japan, starring in an American cartoon series in the Eighties and appearing on countless t-shirts here and abroad but this is the first time Astro Boy has appeared in a full-length, computer-animated movie!
Pseudo Son
When Dr. Tenma’s son Toby is tragically killed in an experiment gone wrong, he creates Astro Boy in Toby’s image—programming in him the memories and personality of his lost son. Unfortunately, Tenma soon realizes a robot is no replacement for a human boy, he casts him out into the world to fend for himself.
Robot Games
Astro Boy flees Metro City and crashes down on Earth where he meets a young orphan named Cora (voiced by Kristen Bell) who gathers discarded robot parts for Hamegg—the ringleader of the Robot Games. Astro Boy gets sucked into the gaming underworld and eventually tied up in a plot with the evil President of Metro City who wants Astro Boy's Blue Core—a powerful crystal implanted in his chest. Blue Cores provide robots with a peaceful personality, but red ones incite ferocious urges to kill. The President wants Astro Boy’s core so he can place it inside his new mega military robot, The Peacekeeper. Will Astro Boy elude the President's forces and reunite with his father? You'll have to check out the movie to see!
The Bottom Line
Astro Boy is a high-energy, slambang sci-fi with some awe-inspiring visuals that manages to take the best elements from the comic book and television series. Oh yeah, and the scenes of Astro Boy and his father just might tug at a heartstring or two, so bring your Kleenex box.
Astro Boy Rating:
