The Iron Giant

PG |(1999) | Animated, Adventure, Kids + Family | 1hr 26m
Presented in association with Bevival’s Celebrating Aging Series

When a giant robot crash-lands near a small town in Maine, an unlikely friendship forms between the metal alien and a local 9-year-old boy. In this adaptation of British poet laureate Ted Hughes’ Cold War fable, the setting is 1957 and Americans are fearful. The film’s overarching message is about friendship, identity, violence, and the ability to change one’s destiny.

It’s also a timeless and age agnostic story on self -awareness. For while The Iron Giant was programmed to destroy, human connection altered the alien’s destiny- when the Giant utters,  “I am not a gun.”

Reviews:

“Intelligent and wholly entertaining for both kids and adults…Brilliantly animated, masterpiece, transcends age…Great family movie…Touching story with a great message…Filled with tender moments, especially as they relate to our feeling of our own mortality…One of the best non-Disney movies made…”

Directed by Brad Bird (The Incredibles 2, Ratatouille, Auntie Edna)

Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Vin Diesel, Harry Connick Jr., Eli Marienthal, Christopher McDonald, James Gammon