THE IRON GIANT

Yes. THE IRON GIANT is a very well-crafted animated movie with a tight plot, great sound, courageous characters, and a powerful emotional center. Its strongest idea is that love can overcome evil and transform someone made for destruction.

The film also carries some confusion. It makes all guns seem bad even though the action shows weaponry being used to stop an attack. Its discussion of the soul reflects a pleasant but false religious idea, and the movie includes six profanities, six obscenities, and cartoon violence.

The children at the screening loved it, and there are rich themes to discuss with susceptible children. See it with your family, prepared to talk about the difference between the film’s words and actions.

In 1957, a fishing boat captain sees a hundred-foot-high robot emerge from the ocean off the Maine coast. Young Hogarth Hughes tracks down the mysterious visitor and discovers that the giant is more companion than invader.

Hogarth hides the robot in a junkyard with the help of his beatnik friend Dean. But a government agent arrives, convinced the giant is dangerous. As fear and military power close in, Hogarth must help his enormous friend discover what kind of creature he will become.

Four stars means this is outstanding entertainment, and the craftsmanship supports that rating. THE IRON GIANT does not have the expensive animation of TARZAN, but it makes up for that with a tight plot and great sound.

The story holds attention from its stormy opening through its suspenseful conflict. Hogarth is one of animation’s wisest, spunkiest, and most courageous young heroes. The film’s emotional resonance comes from its themes of redemption and resurrection, while its children’s adventure remains exciting and accessible.

THE IRON GIANT combines moral, Christian, pagan, environmental, humanist, and false religious elements. Its strongest conviction is that love can overcome evil. The giant is designed for war, but Hogarth’s care helps him choose peace and use his power for good.

The film’s actions are stronger than some of its dialogue. The story says, in effect, that all guns are bad and that the giant stops being a gun when he chooses good. Yet the action shows him using military weaponry to destroy an incoming missile. The more accurate message is that weapons can be used for good or bad, depending on how they are used.

The movie also presents a muddled idea of the soul living in eternal bliss. That is not the biblical teaching. Its Christian elements—love overcoming evil, redemption, death, and resurrection—are wonderful, but they are mixed with ideas that need careful discussion. Hogarth’s grace at dinner is a warm touch, though his attempt to distract his mother comes close to cynicism as he hides the robot.

The film’s central question is whom the giant will serve. Scripture gives the clearer answer: “Choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15).

THE IRON GIANT is exciting, beautifully crafted, and filled with memorable themes of love, redemption, and choosing good. Its language and cartoon violence require parental discernment, while its ideas about guns and the soul need discussion. For an engaging family viewing with a thoughtful conversation afterward, this is WORTH THE TRIP.