The Iron Giant (1999)

 

A young boy befriends a giant robot from outer space that a paranoid government agent wants to destroy. 

 

Wonderfully crafted animation feature creates a nostalgic as well as ironic view of 50s Cold War hysteria and presents a quite contemporary pacifist message.

 

Halliwell***: "Set at a time of Cold War and nuclear paranoia and the beginnings of space exploration, this is an engaging, well-animated fable of pacifism and self-realisation that should find a ready audience among adults as well as children."

 

Maltin***: "Striking and original animated feature gently pokes fun at 1950s paranoia (and sci-fi movies)...That writer-director Bird and his animators can bring such feeling to a metallic character is just one of this film's triumphs."