By Matthew Huh

Matthew Huh (After Hours Committee) writes about Bijou's upcoming screening ofTHE IRON GIANT, playing February 1 at 10pm!

You Are Who You Choose to Be: An Iron Giant Reflection

I first saw The Iron Giant in the spring of 2015. I’m a big fan of animation, and I recall hearing that this was Brad Bird’s first animated film. Today, he’s best known for directing The Incredibles movies and Ratatouille. It aired on Disney XD (despite being a Warner Bros. Film) and I tuned in to see why this was considered one of the most overlooked animated films. Needless to say, I fell in love with the film.

Whenever people bring up the best animated movies of the 1990s, most people would mention the films of the Disney Renaissance, Pixar, or DreamWorks. The Iron Giant came out at a time where it was not only overshadowed by blockbusters, but it was poorly marketed and flopped at the box office. For that reason, I felt like I had discovered something truly special. It was one of the first movies that I can tell my friends to check out for themselves because nobody I knew grew up with it.

Following my first watch, I went and got a copy of the film on both VHS and DVD at my local Goodwill; both of which are still a part of my collection. The Iron Giant is one of my favorite movies because not only do I have this special connection with it, but it perfectly tells a story of an unlikely and beautiful friendship. While many have cited similarities with E.T., it manages to have its own unique identity. As I watched the film more and more, I started to notice that it’s not just a kid’s movie about a boy and a robot, but it’s more of an allegory on what it means to be human. Sure, the relationship between Hogarth and the robot is so sweet and pure, but it’s also complex. Director Brad Bird said that his pitch for the movie was “What if a gun had a soul, and didn’t want to be a gun?”

The Iron Giant himself is a symbol of peace, not destruction. He’s a giant robot from space, but through his relationship with Hogarth, he learns the values of humanity. The Iron Giant chooses to be a peaceful being and not a destructive weapon, even though he is equipped with weapons that are meant to spark fear. Hogarth treats the Giant as one of his own. He fears him at first, but he slowly realizes that he’s not looking to destroy, but he wants to be equal. The Giant’s appearance gives an impression of a monster that’ll destroy the world. As we learn his character, he’s curious and not looking to harm anyone. But with the added tension of the Cold War, the army sees him as a threat, and they don’t see the true emotions of the robot. The Iron Giant isn’t the monster, the army’s fear and the paranoia of the Cold War are the monsters.

Not only does the movie have beautiful animation, great characters, and timeless themes, but the story and message are what make it one of my favorite films. It shows how everyone, no matter what, has the power to change and control their own destiny. Whether you’re born a hero or not, that identity doesn’t define you. To quote the movie, “You are who you choose to be.”

Pick up a copy of the Bijou Calendar, including this piece, now in print! Available at both FilmScene locations (404 E College St + 118 E College St)!