THE IRON GIANT (1999) IS INCREDIBLY MOVING! MOVIE REACTION!! First Time Watching | Superman
The Reel Rejects Reaction and Analysis of Brad Bird's The Iron Giant
Discover why the 1999 animated cultural phenomenon The Iron Giant resonated deeply, exploring its themes of identity, choice, and its surprising initial box office failure.
Short Summary
- The film powerfully explores the identity theme: "You are who you choose to be," contrasting programmed nature with conscious choice.
- Reviewers praised Brad Bird's direction and the tangible scale achieved, even within traditional animation.
- The relationship between Hogarth and the Giant forms the emotional core, drawing comparisons to How to Train Your Dragon and Terminator 2.
- Vin Diesel delivered a notable, subtle performance in a largely non-verbal role throughout the film.
- Despite critical acclaim (95% Rotten Tomatoes Critics), the film significantly underperformed commercially, earning only $23 million.
- This analysis covers the Cold War backdrop, Kent Mansley's antagonism, and the unforgettable "Superman" sacrifice ending.
This discussion breaks down the emotional impact of The Iron Giant, focusing on how it uses classic 1950s sci-fi tropes to deliver a timeless, human story about empathy and defining one's own destiny. We examine the performances, execution of major themes, and why this beloved classic initially flopped.
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Top Comments (10)
“Superman…☺️” - Iron Giant.
I saw someone say on a Superman 2025 reaction that "this is the Superman the Iron Giant wanted to be." So true.
*”You are who you choose to be”* Those words have stayed with me ever since I was 9 years old when I first saw this. They are a cornerstone of my beliefs.
For as tense as the climax of the movie is, it has the funniest line of the film. "The missile is targeted at the giant's current location! WHERE'S THE GIANT MANSLEY?"
The comedic timing of this film is incredibly underrated, and the emotional beats still gets me to this day. "Superman" 😭
They never did a sequel because the movie didn't do very well in theaters because Warner Bros. dropped the ball on the marketing. Brad Bird also thought the movie was a complete story and didn't need a sequel.
You are who you choose to be Superman to this day that scene still makes me cry like a kid this is one of the best animated movies I ever saw as a kid
I’ve met Steve Garcia, one of the animators of the movie at a con, and he totally agrees with me that The Iron Giant is also a superhero movie
A line from Ted Lasso himself - "Keep an eye on these guys, cause around the 74 minute mark, there's gonna be a room full of grown men crying. lol I love this movie, it's all heart.
Fly On Over To That *LIKE* & *SUBSCRIBE* Button 👉 https://www.youtube.com/user/TheReelRejects?sub_confirmation=1 - Receive your New Customer offer + 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at https://www.mintmobile.com/REJECTS - Full Reaction *Watch Along* & MORE For *Royal* Rejects: https://www.patreon.com/thereelrejects - Become A *Righteous Reject* By Grabbing Our Apprel : https://www.rejectnationshop.com/
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Top Comments (10)
“Superman…☺️” - Iron Giant.
I saw someone say on a Superman 2025 reaction that "this is the Superman the Iron Giant wanted to be." So true.
*”You are who you choose to be”* Those words have stayed with me ever since I was 9 years old when I first saw this. They are a cornerstone of my beliefs.
For as tense as the climax of the movie is, it has the funniest line of the film. "The missile is targeted at the giant's current location! WHERE'S THE GIANT MANSLEY?"
The comedic timing of this film is incredibly underrated, and the emotional beats still gets me to this day. "Superman" 😭
They never did a sequel because the movie didn't do very well in theaters because Warner Bros. dropped the ball on the marketing. Brad Bird also thought the movie was a complete story and didn't need a sequel.
You are who you choose to be Superman to this day that scene still makes me cry like a kid this is one of the best animated movies I ever saw as a kid
I’ve met Steve Garcia, one of the animators of the movie at a con, and he totally agrees with me that The Iron Giant is also a superhero movie
A line from Ted Lasso himself - "Keep an eye on these guys, cause around the 74 minute mark, there's gonna be a room full of grown men crying. lol I love this movie, it's all heart.
Fly On Over To That *LIKE* & *SUBSCRIBE* Button 👉 https://www.youtube.com/user/TheReelRejects?sub_confirmation=1 - Receive your New Customer offer + 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at https://www.mintmobile.com/REJECTS - Full Reaction *Watch Along* & MORE For *Royal* Rejects: https://www.patreon.com/thereelrejects - Become A *Righteous Reject* By Grabbing Our Apprel : https://www.rejectnationshop.com/