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USA 1999, dir. John Lasseter, stars voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen
 I'm starting to wonder whether
I watched the same Toy Story 2 as the one most critics seem to
have seen. It's a funny, very enjoyable kids' cartoon with plenty in there
for adults as well, but to start calling it the best sequel since The
Godfather Part 2 does nobody any good whatsoever. And if this has
elements that are emotionally engaging and deeply moving, what does that
make The Iron Giant, an absurdly overlooked and underrated kids'
animation from last year which towers over Toy Story 2 in every
regard.
 The computer-generated visuals
are, as you might expect, extraordinary to look at, and a lot of care
has gone into the script, but the film never becomes any more than the
sum of its parts, and by the end seems rather too pleased with itself
for comfort. Almost every line seems to contain a punning bit of wordplay
that wouldn't go out of place in Countdown's dictionary corner,
almost every shot contains an ingenious visual gag. On a scene by scene
basis, this is fine. Extended to feature length, it becomes repetitive
and tiresome, and it's disappointing to see yet another American movie
reach its climax with yet another airport chase.
There are marvellous things here - I especially liked the boxing toys,
who speak in a civilised drawl before rapidly coming to frenzied blows
- and the film is an impressive achievement. But put the superlatives
on hold until you've checked out Iron Giant - a song-free masterpiece
that bravely tried to make it in the world without the benefit of fast-food
tie-ins.
by Neil
Young
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