Astro Boy
Directed by David Bowers
- animation
- action
- family
- science fiction
The story
Set in the futuristic Metro City, Astro Boy (Atom) is a young robot with incredible powers created by a brilliant scientist in the image of the son he had lost. Unable to fulfill his creator's expectations, Astro embarks on a journey in search of acceptance, experiencing betrayal and a netherworld of robot gladiators, before returning to save Metro City and reconcile with the father who rejected him.
What it’s like
Bright, saturated CGI in a clean, toy-like future: gleaming chrome towers, sunlit plazas and a glowing, neon-striped underworld where the palette turns murky and sooty. The 3D animation has a glossy, slightly plasticky finish, with crisp edges, sweeping crane shots over the city and fast, readable action framed for kids. The score is bombastic orchestral pop with synth swells, and the sound design is busy, with whirring servos, metallic clangs and cheerful chatter. It feels like a Saturday-morning cartoon given feature-film polish: upbeat and wholesome, with a warm, comfortable energy suited to a family movie night or an easy afternoon watch. Pacing is brisk, with the action set pieces arriving regularly between quieter scenes of an adopted-child-and-father story: a lonely boy who must prove he belongs and slowly learns to forgive a parent who rejected him. Intensity is mild: robot combat and explosions in the gladiator arena and the final battle, with some peril and a few tense moments, but no gore and no real cruelty. It suits children around seven and up, and adults who want a sincere, uncomplicated hero story with a heart about family.
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