- Film Review
- Reviewed By Lucy Barrick
-
3 out of 5
The iconic Japanese anime character makes his Hollywood debut in this sweet-natured and colourful futuristic adventure. Brilliant scientist Dr Tenma (voiced by Nicolas Cage) is devastated when his equally brilliant son Toby (Freddie Highmore) is accidentally killed during an experiment. Tenma builds a robotic replacement, but abandons him when he doesn't live up to expectations. Left to fend for himself, the robot becomes Astro Boy and discovers the true extent of his powers when an evil force threatens the world. The film presents some fairly adult themes in an understandable way, and it's also less cheesy and sentimental than a lot of animated fare. But it still packs in some exciting action sequences and impressive comic relief in the shape of the hapless Robot Liberation Front (whose leader is voiced by Little Britain's Matt Lucas).
Plot Summary
Animated sci-fi adventure featuring the voices of Freddie Highmore and Nicolas Cage. A grieving scientist creates a robot to replace his lost son. But the "boy" is unable to fill the void and leaves in search of acceptance. It's only when his homeland is faced with a hostile invasion that he returns and puts his special powers to use.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Astro Boy / Toby
- Freddie Highmore
- Dr Tenma
- Nicolas Cage
- Cora
- Kristen Bell
- Zog
- Samuel L Jackson
- Dr Elefun / Robotsky
- Bill Nighy
- President Stone
- Donald Sutherland
- Ham Egg
- Nathan Lane
- "Our Friends" narrator
- Charlize Theron
- Orrin
- Eugene Levy
- Sparx
- Matt Lucas
- Zane
- Moisés Arias
Crew
- Director
- David Bowers
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