James vs The Iron Giant

[@DanielZeal]

One of the absolute best animated films from my childhood. Such a gem. I remember watching it when I was in college and I couldn't believe how well it holds up.

[@JamesVSCinema]

Right?? Quality goes well with any timeline.

[@DisgruntledHippo]

"You stay. I go. No following." My heart...

[@JamesVSCinema]

He’s an OG.

[@aaronhooper1549]

"Superman..."

[@UmamiDeBoi]

Dude i loved this movie as a kid, but hadn’t watched it in 20+ years. I just rewatched it a few nights ago, and bro i was damn near crying at the end when he said “You stay, i go. No following.” and “Superman…”. What an amazing movie.

[@Heiryuu]

Conversely. “You go. I stay. No follow” *picks Hogarth up and yeets him at missile*

[@Klung1]

“I am not a gun.” This film is genius. There were a lot of folks, myself included, who were bewildered and outraged when Iron Giant wasn’t nominated for a best picture Oscar. It was considered a flop because the studio had no idea how to market it. They thought it was too intense for little kids, and too animated for adults.

[@BogeyTheBear]

And now those kids the studio thought it was too heavy for them to take now have grown up into adults.

[@ItsUrBoi]

“You are who you choose to be” “Superman” FUCK I CANT HANDLE THIS MAN MY HEART

[@thebigshep]

Also in the signature edition (which includes fully animated deleted scenes) it's made more clear through a dream sequence that the iron giant was one of MANY giants designed to conquer and/or destroy planets, most likely by aliens of some kind. In the director's words, he's a gun with a soul that decides he doesn't want to be a gun.

[@pendorran]

This movie is still criminally underrated.

[@riddlr6358]

Hello @James VS Cinema I was one of the animators on this wonderful movie. Sooo glad you love it so much. We who worked on this movie are so grateful that it's found it's mass audience and that its considered one of the very best. Thanks again...and I wish you all the best. :)

[@JamesVSCinema]

That’s so awesome! Helped make my childhood, thank you!

[@riddlr6358]

@@JamesVSCinema Aw. that's very nice to hear. Thank you so much and all the best to ya. Take care!

[@less_likely]

I always think “I loved the movie as a kid”. But I was 21 when it came out. It was just so good it made me feel like a kid again.

[@KyleBaran90]

I think that's why it's so good. It's pure and relatable, and just very innocent

[@paulcarlsen5787]

The filmmakers brother was shot and killed. He made this as a testament to “what if a gun could think, but it didn’t want to shoot”. As someone who’s lost a lot of friends to guns when I found that out it made me love the movie that much more

[@carlrogers3505]

The story itself was written to help the authors children deal with their mothers suicide. That was Sylvia Plath.

[@jlhanlon1980]

It was his sister, shot by her husband.

[@carlrogers3505]

@@jlhanlon1980 The filmmakers Sister? For clarification.

[@pabloc8808]

I didn't know that, and that's a tragic but strangely beautiful thought

[@reginaldgickington4793]

I remember seeing a post to the effect of... "Lied to his superiors, attempted to nuke a US town, and said screw our country during the mccarthy era - Kent Mansley rotted in prison, assuming the soldiers didnt ensure he "went missing" before his court marshall."

[@johntaylor7029]

There's a video on YT that lists his crimes, they said it'd be about 75k in fines, bout 17k years of improvement, but also death penalty for treason.

[@nodruj8681]

Funny thing is.. mccarthy was right. Many don't wish to admit this because the fell for the narrative for so long.

[@reginaldgickington4793]

@@nodruj8681 Oh no we're NOT going to talk about mcarthyism and whether or not it has any merits, not in this comment section.

[@DanielS2001]

Fun Facts: 1. The Giant is CG. That's right, the Giant is 100% CG and was textured in a way that made him look like he was hand drawn like the rest of the other characters. 2. The film is based loosely on the book "The Iron Man" by Ted Hughes. He absolutely adored the movie, despite its lack of resemblance to the book. Sadly, he suffered a fatal heart attack a year before it was completed. The film was dedicated to his memory. Brad Bird, when he read the original novel, was surprised to find out that Hughes wrote the novel as a way to cope with the suicide of his wife, Sylvia Plath. Bird, in turn, decided that he would change the story for the film to an anti-gun allegory as a way of coping with his sister's murder at gunpoint a decade prior, making the titular Giant "a gun with a soul who didn't want to be a gun." 3. During the scene where Hogarth is watching a sci-fi horror movie, you see him filling a Twinkie with whipped cream before eating it. This was something Brad Bird had done when he was a kid, calling it a “Turbo Twinkie”. 4. The duck and cover film seen in the classroom scene was based on similar films from that actual time peroid. 5. The Superman comic featured in the film was in fact a real issue of Superman that is accurate to the time period. 6. The Iron Giant is one of Steven Spielberg's favorite movies. When it came to Ready Player One (2018), when the rights couldn't be acquired for Ultraman (the Japanese superhero), Spielberg chose to have the Giant as a replacement (the Giant is actually mentioned in the novel by Ernest Cline as one of the prizes you could win by beating the Black Tiger arcade game). Spielberg also worked with Vin Diesel for his film Saving Private Ryan (1998). 7. There was a dream sequence that the Giant has that was cut from the theatrical version of the film because the sequence couldn't be completed before the date of the film's release. However, for the Signature Edition of the film, the scene was actually completed with the original animators and reinserted into the film where it was suppose to be. 8. The film didn't do well at the box office because of the poor advertising efforts by Warner Brothers. There weren't any toys or any other merchandise released at the time the film had been. It wasn't until years later, long after the film became a cult classic, that merchandise started to be made for the film, including action figures. 9. The coordinates given to the Nautilus are actual coordinates in Maine, the state where the town in the film is set. 10. The Giant's "battle mode" was inspired by the Martian tripods from War of the World (1953). 11. Many fans feel that The Iron Giant is the best Superman story ever put on film.

[@FiggityJones]

This will forever be on my favorite movies of all time list. I *can not* watch it without sobbing in the ugliest of fashions. It’s simply amazing and I try my best to show it to everyone I can.

[@rossqpd]

Dont forget Harry Connick Jr was in independence day: " Let's kick the tires and light the fires, big daddy!"

[@AlessaParker]

Dean pouring his coffee to the ground before going back to his house is definitely a meme I've seen a number of times 😂 as well as him screaming ART!! really enjoying these VS vids. of all films, for some reason I'd like to see you react to Chicken Run which I feel like is another underrated animated film

[@Yautjakanaka]

Being named Hogarth is devious work. I love everything about this movie except Hogarth’s name 😂

[@JamesVSCinema]

Like a damn Lord of the Rings character

[@johanliebert4622]

Calm down

[@alexkramerblogs]

A lot of the "particle" effects were done by Michel Gagne, who also did the flavor visuals in Ratatouille Also the director, Brad Bird, storyboarded the "kid on espresso" scenes himself because he had a distinct vision in mind

[@mradriankool]

It was so good to see how people reacted to the trailer of ready player one when the iron giant appeared. Showed how beloved he really is. Kids are looking at their dads thinking “what’s with the big robot 🤖 & why are you crying dad?”

[@raze3297]

Unfortunately, Ready Player One completely missed the point of the character and made him just a big gun.

[@mradriankool]

@@raze3297 fell apart in the 3rd act when the went mobile. All that world building 🤦‍♂️ I did like the shining level. But I found the lead actor underwhelming it not the right way.

[@noneed4me2n7]

One of the few animated films I never got tired of watching it with the kids. Sad this kind of animation isn’t done much anymore.

[@sketchygetchey8299]

“Superman!” 😭💔

[@RyoHazuki224]

I dunno why but this movie always hits me in the feels every time. I've must have watched it like 50 times. It never fails!

[@VBrancoPT]

Vin Diesel voiced the Iron Giant. This was probably around the time when he his acting career started to grow.

[@jazzandfriends1]

He had just had a part in Saving Private Ryan the year prior in 1998. After that and the Iron Giant it was pretty much all blockbusters from there, starting with Pitch Black and the Fast and the Furious

[@JeevesAnthrozaurUS]

"That missile is targeted to the Giant's current position! *Where's the Giant, Mansley?!"* Mansley looks behind himself "Wha...Oh." Will never not get a chuckle out of me

[@NoriMori1992]

25:46 This only just occurred to me: I appreciate that there was no dramatic farewell here. Hogarth didn't try to stop him, or sob and tell him he can't go on without him or how much he's going to miss him. There isn't anything _wrong_ with a scene like that; it's normal for a kid or even an adult to react like that. But the very fact that it's normal, and so common in movies like this, is exactly why I appreciate that they didn't do it this time. It makes this moment hit so different from all the other movies that have a moment like this.

[@jordank1813]

Movies arent made to this quality anymore. Every inch of every scene is a masterpiece

[@johanliebert4622]

Nah, they are. Enough with the stolen boomer comments

[@WanderingRoe]

This film is indeed iconic! Never gets old. I love that more people are checking it out, definitely deserves more attention than it initially got.

[@JamesVSCinema]

What movie would you guys want me to VS? Want to see the version WITHOUT WATERMARKS? Click here! www.patreon.com/jamesvscinema Have a great day!

[@HaganeNoGijutsushi]

If we're talking animated movies, what about an unfortunately underrated oldie? Treasure Planet

[@lagosto4330]

I agree with the above comment. Treasure Planet definitely. I also would vote for The Prince of Egypt

[@HaganeNoGijutsushi]

@@lagosto4330 I thought he did that already? If not, then yeah, Prince of Egypt. And for another story of a kid befriending an alien visitor meant to be a destroyer, there's Lilo and Stitch.

[@jean-michelwalker8829]

“Rise of the Guardians”

[@jlhanlon1980]

James, this is 1 of my top 5 favorite animated movies of all time. 1) The Incredibles 2) HTTYD 3) Kung Fu Panda 2 4) The Iron Giant 5) Toy Story 3 This is the first time that Vin Diesel made me cry with an animated character, the second being the cgi animatated Groot from the first Guardians of the Galaxy.

[@kristianbanks6450]

This movie is so underrated ❤ it always warms my heart! Thank you so much for watching to this masterpiece!🤗✨ wonderful reaction! I’m so glad I ran into your channel

[@JamesVSCinema]

Happy you are having a good time here! 🙏🏽♥️

[@DaisyAzuras]

I loved getting to go to the Glendale studio and getting to see the storyboards all posted in a massive hallway and getting to look at early animation work for this film. I got so lucky to have a friend working on this film.

[@armchairgravy8224]

This is one of the best animated movies ever. This is one of the best movies ever. It's all here: visually stunning, fun characters, strong story, and heart. Tons of heart.

[@gameinguy]

I'm in the same boat as you James, had it on VHS and replayed it so much as a kid I could recite it!

[@alanhynd7886]

My VHS video copy came with a six-inch high Iron Giant model. I still have it.

[@Blynat]

I had my older brother watch this once I got it on VHS or maybe DVD. Because I thought he would like it, it was the first movie he ever saw that made him cry.

[@neonblud9595]

Glad to see a resurgence in appreciation for this film. One of the best animated films.

[@Blynat]

I think the Iron Giant is one of my favorite alien robots in all fiction and one of the best animated films of all time. I saw this movie in a drive-in theater when I was a little kid.

[@auntvesuvi3872]

Thanks, James! 🤖 Brad Bird directed.

[@alexkull24]

Same case! Also one of my favorite childhood movies!!! :) But I have no idea what happened to my VHS version of this movie! Hehe! XD

[@alishamillion7058]

One of the best in animation stories

[@JAXARE99]

this is one of my favorite movies of all time, it never fails to make me shed a tear!

[@eleaj4951]

Kent gives me Bill Paxton vibes😂😂. He would’ve been amazing as that character irl

[@coyotelong4349]

True animated classic As an adult I’ve come to appreciate it now in ways I never would have as a kid, too

[@deathwitheponine]

A classic with a great soundtrack, great voice acting, great art style, and an important message. Also this movie is funny af and I quote it all the time! Glad you revisited it 🎉

[@eleaj4951]

I remember having the VHS as well. It came with a small iron giant toy attached to the inside of the plastic covering of the VHS on the front. One of my favorite animated films. Very underrated, and also directed by Brad Bird.

[@ColombianThunder]

I absolutely love this movie's 50s/60s cold war aesthetic.

[@PodyTheCirate]

One of last (and best) animated movies to come out of the ‘90s! Such a classic.

[@thomasortom2352]

This film always hits me in the feels

[@JamesVSCinema]

Good to know the heart still works 🙏🏽

[@thomasortom2352]

@@JamesVSCinema indeed it is brother

[@carronline1]

this movies no matter how many times i watch, always get the tears at the end

[@f-4815]

What do you mean it's Vin Diesel? Like what do you mean? It took me 20+ years to learn that, damn

[@NoriMori1992]

22:39 Fun fact: The novelette this movie is based on is actually called _The Iron Man._ The title was changed for the movie so that it wouldn't be confused with Marvel's Iron Man.

[@TheJabbate1]

I believe there’s a director’s cut where they added the cut dream sequence. As the giant slept, Dean’s tv began to broadcast the giant’s dream and it revealed that the giant was a war machine for an intergalactic empire. The giant likely was sent to Earth as a scout for an invasion.

[@caleidoo]

I think it's the old-school story telling and vibe about it. It's not a screaming flashing animation movie that tries to overwhelm with colors and yelling and action scenes. It doesn't have 25 characters all wanting the attention of the viewer. It's simple, subtle and slower. And kids see the kids stuff and adults see the adults stuff. It's perfect. Especially today, it takes me back to days of innocence, with the hand drawn animation - only the giant and some solid objects like tanks were CGI. I just hope the rumours of a sequel are false. This story has had its ending, no need to milk it further.

[@Chrisratata]

Not a cartoon or action movie but I feel much the same way about Meet Joe Black

[@AdamTheAverage]

Ahh... many days spent "sick" staying home from school and watching this movie. I also always think of Metal Gear because its basically a walking battle tank. Thanks for watching this! I once again fell in love with this movie! And Mrs. Huges.

[@T.Florenz]

One of my all-time favorite movies, animated or otherwise.

[@Zofer-1920]

One of my fav animated films of all time.

[@chrisannlewis8767]

you are on such a roll!! one of my all time faves james!!!❤🎉

[@EBDavis111]

The two engineers on the train that hit the Iron Giant in the first act are references to, and voiced by, Frank and Ollie. The (then) last two surviving members of Disney's famous "nine old men." These were the animators/film makers who pioneered the invention of feature length animation. Going from little sloppy Mickey Mouse shorts to a feature length film is a major leap. There are all sorts of issues with making a feature lenght live action film, and a feature length animated film has its own set of issues, and these were the guys were the original batch to figured it all out. I'd recommend a deep dive into the subject for any filmmaker/student, even those not particularly into animation.

[@kiernanknox2314]

bro, the timing of this I just showed this movie to my wife for the first time a couple days ago. absolutely incredible movie. one of the greats of my childhood

[@Jared_Wignall]

This is a phenomenal film. I remember seeing this in the theater as a kid and I still love it to this day. Great to see you watch this James, hope you’re doing well. Take care!

[@jazzandfriends1]

This and Pocahantas were my favorite movies when I was little, so much nostalgia here James. Good shit

[@mikeyben7]

Still my top 5 fav movies ever! This one followed me since childhood and I fall in love with it every time I watch it! ❤

[@insideoutghost]

this movie and return of the king are the two movies that will consistently make me cry

[@batmanvsjoker7725]

Aw man..... "Superman" still gets me 😢 Brad Bird is the GOAT

[@a.j.m8264]

14:26 How fitting that you say that lol Goku, who also crash landed on earth, an alien from another world, able to fly and super strong, capable of great evil but raised right right by an elderly sort to do good(yeah, I know goku bonked his head too, but still). Dragonball or Z would a great manga stand in for Superman.

[@ThALobo996]

Fun fact: This film is based off a children’s book called the “The Iron Man” by Ted Hughs. The book is very different from the movie. A mythical creature is involved in the story. Hogarth is also a main character in the book.

[@jereXIX]

Probably my favorite animated film and Dean is such a cool character. I love the scene where he gets washed into the middle of the road 😂.

[@anonview]

Whoever says "animation is only for kids" has clearly never seen movies like The Iron Giant, or at least understood them. There are so many aspects to this movie that you don't pick up on as a child, but you then appreciate when you're older.

[@Otokichi786]

"The Iron Giant," the animated twin of movies set in 1957. The other is "October Sky," a semi-autobiographical tale about NASA scientist Home Hickam, Jr., who, with his high school trio, yearned to see the world outside their coal mining town by launching model rockets.

[@sheen-4509]

Absolutely loved this film ever since I was a kid. Makes me cry every time without fail. Despite how fun the movie is it's surprisingly existential.

[@JamesVSCinema]

Heavily agree with it being existential!

[@thebigshep]

AYYYOOOO. This is THE MOVIE of my childhood, I've seen it more times than I can count and I can STILL quote it backwards and forwards and I still try to watch it every year, usually around my birthday. When I was a kid I wanted to be Hogarth and now I aspire to be Dean lol Recently got to see a rerelease of the Signature Edition in theaters and it was incredible

[@josiahwoody186]

Definitely one of my favorite movies as a kid

[@Comrade.Question]

0:27 I had most likely that exact same VHS tape. Still have the little Iron Giant figurine that came with it!

[@GrouchyOldBear7]

Thanks for the video. I enjoyed it.

[@EssEll9791]

Seriously man?! Is it my birthday?! Man, there goes my afternoon plans. Thanks a lot dude, no seriously, thank you! Gd I love this movie.

[@JamesVSCinema]

Happy birthday homie!

[@EssEll9791]

Lol! By my count, it's been my birthday, from this channel, eight or nine times already! I've been here since Dark City reaction and the consistency of excellence on this channel always keeps me coming back. Its Always Sunny lead me to Patreon to see those full legnth reviews and now this new plethora of kick ass movies dropping, it's an embarrassment of riches! I love it! So thank you James, keep doing your thing, whether it's as a professional or as a fan, it's all good. Love, auntie ess

[@28jjman]

I wish the industry would make more mature animated movies like this.

[@MatveiMoreno12]

James, Greeting From Mexico🇲🇽

[@jndaley]

This has been my 17 year olds favorite movie since he was a very small child.

[@michaelchaplin1600]

So, regarding where the giant came from, in the special edition, there's a dream sequence that is projected on to Dean's TV screen which shows you a history of where the giant came from and the decimation of his planet.

[@jamesbodnarchuk3322]

Fun animated film Throwback to the 1950’s❤️👍

[@DustyQatun]

I watched this movie sooo much on vhs i love it so much great to see you react

[@justinpeck6015]

I still got it on VHS 😂 and watch it on VHS every once in awhile

[@carterthiero7633]

17:38 What you currently have IN YOUR MOUTH IS ART😤!!! Never stops making me laugh😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣!!

[@aaronhooper1549]

Childhood classic. Nuff said.

[@geetuz]

I don't know if it was mentioned or I'm guessing you probably already know that Brad Bird directed both The Invincibles and The Iron Giant. Also responsible for some absolute classic Simpsons episodes too. The guy knows how to tell a story.

[@generic_sauce]

26:18 This scene still gets to me, all these years later. If anyone is worth of their own S symbol it's the giant 😢

[@terradraca]

The best part is Kent Mansley would face a court martial as well as a regular court so he'd basically have to face the music for his crimes twice and they no doubt would include treason for launching a nuke with authorization.

[@curtisbailey78]

This movie is 100% top tier. No shame there at all. Makes me weep every time I watch it.

[@masodilla9572]

Dude same with this moving being the reason I ever even tried a Twinkie!! lol mad love for these reactions man!

[@JamesVSCinema]

You get it hahaha, we all lived similar lives!

[@RavenTheVelociraptor]

"You are who you choose to be." "Superman..😀" that HIT like a freight train, geeeez i smacked my head, that hit so hard

[@88gschannel39]

A childhood movie that still chokes me up. Su-per-man still hits hard

[@dwaiting883]

"You choose." you choose. the world needs to choose more wisely these days. I was at a Service Merchandise store (no longer exists) and all the tv's in the electronics section ran an ad for this film. The animation looked so good. Saw it in the theater. Fell in love. I was so disappointed it wasn't a huge hit and it just disappeared, but luckily, those of us who loved it shared it on VHS and DVD, and now, thankfully, it is respected for the wonderful, brilliant film it is. And I think it's the best Superman film since the '77 one. None of the reboots of that character have the right feeling and story like the Iron Giant does.

[@williamclarke3162]

Mannnn I need to rewatch this movie soon (happy 25 years to it). Everything about it just works (shout out to the VA for Hogarth, Mansley, Dean and the Giant). This showed how different WB was from Disney as they were making a lot of Disney wannabe films (Bugs Bunny PG/Mickey Mouse G) and I just miss how animated movies like this and the early DreamWorks films weren't afraid to throw some casual swears in.

[@MasterBetty69]

Favorite film of all time.

[@devhar4655]

Fantastic movie makes me get a tear in my eye to this day

[@damaniqphillip2756]

One of my favorite movies ever ❤❤

[@michaelwarwickvalencia8501]

Wow I remember having this film on VHS

[@RavenTheVelociraptor]

james, look up that cut flashback/dream sequence where the Giant remembers his past as a Gun.

[@aaronlane1391]

Great video-. Everyone should se this film as a kid, when it is brilliant entertainment and later as an adult, it gets deeper.

[@mrman-yj3bn]

I was about the same age as Hogarth when I watched this first. Had it on vhs. Now I'm 28

[@TumzFestivalYT]

Brad Bird and Cute Cartoon Moms, man. Would love to live in this cartoon reality- Maybe even specifically as the town beatnik. (One thing about any time you see his other appearances, usually ones in movies that have a selling point of multiple IPS - Most seem to use the 3rd act, fully healed, revenge-driven killing machine. Always feel like ".... Man")

[@cyberpunkspacejams]

James, I really hope you do more animated films, classic or otherwise. An American Tail (or pretty much any Don Bluth film), FernGully: The Last Rainforest are the first to come to mind for me, but I know there are so many others.

[@daniellevaughn4598]

Let me tell you.....I watched movie over 20 years ago, when I was pregnant with my son. My emotions were on 100 and the town square scene at the end.....I 😭 so hard, my mom came home and thought I had gotten bad news about the pregnancy (my son).