Being Peta

Just to clarify in my last post... i did enjoy Astroboy last night.   I've seen all three of the Japanese produced cartoon series including the original black and whites produced by Tezuka himself.  Plus I have some of the reprinted Osuma Tezuka Astroboy comics and the redrawn series by Akira Himekawa.  Astroboy was my single biggest early influence when it came to making space opera Sci Fi my genre of choice.

But long time fans will definately be disappointed if they're expecting any kind of adherence to the original story line or the dark, emotive mood Osuma wrote the series in.  THIS big screen version is targeted squarely at kids.  It is thoroughly westernised and many tragic elements lightened up.  And there is massive inconsistences with the original story created by Tezuka.  (e.g. Metro City floating in the sky instead of Tokoyo.)

The characters are well 'drawn' with a decent attempt to keep to the style of the original comic... e.g. big noses on Tenma and Elefun and those pointy 'horns' on Astro's head which would have been a nightmare to place for different facial angels in 3D.  (Love the explanation for those on the human boy Toby's head... 'hair gel'.... not a style young Japanese boys used in the 60's I think. lol.)  I believe that originally the producers wanted to make Astro look older... more of a teenager, I'm so glad they didn't.  The action scenes are well paced and are exciting without leaving you feeling dazed.  The film does suffer from some glaring inconsistences e.g.  the trashed Earth surface below metro city isn't exactly that trashed except for its robot scrap heaps: there are lush green growing areas and a thriving working city.

My other beef is the voice for Dr Tenma.  Nicholas Cage is BADLY cast.  His voice sounds half asleep and does not suit this character at all.

I'd like to discuss some aspects of the story line but I won't for now, given that many who read my posts are in the U.S. where the film is yet to be released.

It is a great movie for kids and adults (like  me :) ) who enjoy watching animation.  I go to the movies to have fun, not to be reminded about how awful our species really is to each other. My kids loved it.  I had a good time.  That's all that counts.