Classic Trailer Rewatch: Brad Bird’s Beloved ‘The Iron Giant’ Animation
by Alex Billington
October 7, 2024
Source: YouTube
“You can fly?? You can fly!!” Time for yet another Classic Trailer Rewatch session. Back to the 90s again to revisit one of the best animated movies ever made. Back in 1999, Brad Bird directed a movie called The Iron Giant as his feature directorial debut. It didn’t do so well at the box office, but that’s okay, because it has gone on to become one of the most beloved, remembered, and celebrated animated movies of all-time. And if you haven’t seen it, any day is a good day to watch this one – this post will be your reminder. From director Brad Bird – a young boy befriends a giant robot from outer space that a paranoid government agent wants to destroy. The movie features the voices of Eli Marienthal as Hogarth Hughes, Vin Diesel (yes for real!!) as The Iron Giant, Harry Connick Jr., Jennifer Aniston, James Gammon, Cloris Leachman, and M. Emmet Walsh. Almost everyone loves this movie. Even Roger Ebert gave it 3.5 out of 4 stars when he reviewed it when it first opened in 1999, stating in his review: “The Iron Giant is not just a cute romp but an involving story that has something to say.” Enjoy these fun trailers for this 1999 animated classic below.
Here’s a few vintage trailers (+ original poster) for Brad Bird’s film The Iron Giant, direct from YouTube:
This is the story of a nine-year-old boy named Hogarth Hughes who makes friends with an innocent alien giant robot that came from outer space. Meanwhile, a paranoid U.S. Government agent named Kent Mansley arrives in town, determined to destroy the giant at all costs. It’s up to Hogarth to protect him by keeping him at Dean McCoppin’s place in the junkyard. The Iron Giant is directed by award-winning American filmmaker Brad Bird, making his feature directorial debut with this (after writing Batteries Not Included), before going on to make The Incredibles for Pixar in 2004 as his second feature. The screenplay is written by Tim McCanlies and Brad Bird; from a story by Brad Bird. Based on the novel “The Iron Man” by Ted Hughes. Produced by Allison Abbate and Des McAnuff. Warner Bros originally debuted the movie in theaters on August 6th, 1999 at the end of the summer – it only made $31.3M at the box office during its run. It still has a 96% rating on RT with critics. It’s available to watch now on VOD or on BR – a must watch.