Looking back at The Iron Giant: the best family film you’ve never seen?

Might it just be the best family film that youve never seen?

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The film came out in the US on 3rd August 1999.

So, in theory, the film stood a chance.

Yet, it died a death at the box office, grossing $23m in the US.

Note that well be discussingspoilersahead.

Ive got a feeling about this one.

And heres the first clue thatThe Iron Giantis willing to tackle things in a different way.

And so, he does.

But for me,The Iron Gianthas the edge.

For theres not an ounce of fat here.

It should be said that theres nothing massively revolutionary to the main narrative.

And the film doesnt shy away from it, either.

I love that it doesnt pull back on this.

The best manifestation of this?

Theres no mawkish song.

Theres no temptation to cut away unnecessarily, or insert a joke.

Its a moment that Bird absolutely commits to, to real effect.

Yet, you cant talk aboutThe Iron Giantwithout appreciating the majesty of the title character itself.

Hes a brilliant creation, utilising computer technology to bring him convincingly to life.

And, quick as a flash, hes back to normal.

And thats what makes the inevitable military intervention so believable.

Yet, Bird saves the most brilliant moment of the film until pretty much the end.

Right through the script, there are comic book references, specificallySuperman.

Even writing it, it brings me out in goosebumps.

Its like its a prop in the background, but one whose significance is lost on no one.

And, heck, Im going to say.

I can see that argument both ways.

But I can only call it on the end result, and the choices that were made.

And I genuinely find it very, very hard to faultThe Iron Giant.

Its a film where detail matters.

Where every look of the eye has a reason.

Where Michael Kamens score knows when to kick in, and when to shut up.

Where Disney legends Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas are brought in for voice cameos.

Instead, what we have is one of the most exceptional hand-drawn animated films of all time.

But Disney would never have made this in the mid- to late-90s.

Instead, Warner Bros did, and then found that it simply couldnt sell the film.

But, perhaps thats now our job.

Yet, it is one that deserves to be passed on, to be recommended and to celebrated.

Which is where we come in.

It might not boast lunchbox-adorning characters.

It may not have an album of songs to sell.

And it doesnt have the comfort blanket of being a sequel, or part of a massive franchise.

Pass the word on…