ASTRO BOY REVIEW
Astro Boy / Osamu Tetzuka / and the new movie ...
Astro Boy, or as he is known in Japan .. Mighty Atom, has often been referred to as the Mickey Mouse of Asia, and in many ways thats true. The way in which he was embraced by the cultural and social identity of Japan is amazing. There are statues of the character dotted around Kyoto station and there is a museum dedicated to his creator Osamu Tetzuka's work.
The character has survived intact, since 1952 and has spawned comics, a live action TV series, a long running animated series, and other numerous media spin-offs, not to mention a veritable Mount Fuji of merchandise.
The popularity of Astro Boy has spread from Asia across the continental United States as well as Europe, although here it was more as a brand to be worn on apparel and accessories, including school and casual bags. Still, not too shabby for a character that was initially one of the supporting cast for a comic series that creator 'Tezuka' had planned to use to address issues of discrimination and the struggle, to define oneself in an altogether uncaring world.
Watching the new movie, I know that there are purists out there, who think that the story should not have been changed at all. But just as it was necessary to put the X-men in leather because spandex just really doesn't work on screen, there was a need to round the story out, to make it a little more palatable to the wider audience.
Lets be clear here, while there are small but significant changes to Atom's origin the film is faithful to the spirit of Tezuka's creation, maintaining the innocent hope and naivety that there is a better tomorrow. This is what the character has always epitomized and in this way the movie is faithful to the core.
It's a movie that will have kids laughing and adults remembering what it was like to be a kid.
So go see it! and come along and see the art of the movie at our gallery space.
Huw-J-
February 11, 2010
