Reading the latest news feeds from Animenewsnetwork.com, our favourite hero of the great anime classics is experience a ‘major’ fault with his rocket-powered legs which prevents him from skyrocketing at the top of the USA box office charts.

Astro Boy Movie

The US $65-million film by Imagi earned nearly US $18 million after remaining in the cinemas for almost four weeks now. It’s ranked from its 10th place to 13th last week. Think the American audience’s feedback was generally harsh with it? Don’t know. Hard to say. I heard sources from online reviews saying the film has several cliché themes were overused especially (spoilers!) in the middle and end. That could explain why it contributes to its drop. But I doubted it’s got anything to do with the plot’s weakness in telling its own unique story as compared to the original so one wouldn’t expect too much originality in its perfect form, even for the hardcore fans. It’s an adapted film after all.

Find out more info about its US Box office ranks and its comparison with other films.

Source: ANN.com

Since my last post on how Astro Boy Movie may or may not truly turn out that great for Astro boy fans (as harshly claimed by RottenTomatoes movie rating king), there is one movie critic that I could depend on, and hope to convince myself (and anyone else reading this!) to pull out wallet at the cinema ticket booth without any hesitation.

Manny, a movie buff, gave us a neat but coolly entertaining film critic on the movie. I thought it’s really well-summarised. Delivered with plenty of good punchlines and hiswitty comments. Certainly brought me some good smiles (and the movie look forward to after all.) Enjoy!

Manny, a Filipino, born in Philippines, but grew up on the American soil when he was little. As an Arts graduate, radio and TV advertising would be his natural profession, having played many roles in American radio and TV broadcasting stations which makes him one of few prominent movie critics around in Los Angeles, California.

Source: RottenTomatoes.com,

Astro Boy: All whiz but no bang?

Been reading a few reviews on Astro Boy online. They sure don’t sound very optimistic as it oughta be. I really hope it would deliver well and make great impact on the audiences, both young, old and the fans of the 50 year Japanese iconic anime series.

Some say it’s a complete waste of movie goers’ time and that USD 10 bucks is better spent on other films that are more tangible to watch. Even B-rated films believed to be comparatively than this as sources say. Some rated it’s barely watchable, especiallly for family and kids.

And some argue it’s actually good to watch as it delivers strong messages on family bond and unity that many common families do not normally see, especially in the areas where son misses fatherly-love connection where he’s denied from receiving full expression of love and care that any parent would give to a child. Something like that.

Whatever the views are, I’d still be keen to give this a go when it comes out here in NZ. Are you still keen to watch despite the mixed rave of reviews?

Source: SiouxCityJournal, NorthernStar, The Jamestown Sun,

Astro Boy

It sure has been pretty busy week for me. Not much posting going on as I recently got a new job last week since my last job at my last company was made redundant some weeks ago. So plenty of time has been put focus in getting used to my new work environment, learning to get to know your new work colleagues, getting used to having a public transport to get to work (takes about 90 minutes by car, that doesn’t even include the time to find a car park!!!)

Which now brings me back to my attention on what’s been going in the anime world since my absence.

Yes! As you probably know by now, Astro Boy has finally made into the cinemas worldwide just almost three days ago. And in the USA, it sure did get a positive reception after reading this page from SkyNews.

I just read its movie review, done by an American writer, who’s clearly a movie-junkie if you traceback his review source, and (SPOILERS ALERT) I find his final conclusion on Astro Boy being less disingenuous than its orginal TV series run seemed a little harsh to deserve such a low grade. Though I yet to see the film to find his comments are fair justifiable, I would think the movie have a different emphasis on the importance of family bonds and how this film challenges that due to Dr Tenma, father of Astro Boy, rejecting him as his son despite his compassionate efforts in reviving his dead son he used to dearly love(which gives the reason for Astro Boy’s existence in the first place!). At least, that’s what Nicolas Cage mentioned in his comments from this LA Times’ post.

So there are different intangible things people look for when watching this 50-year iconic character on the silverscreens. Whether it’s fun for kids or getting to know the character in depth, I’m sure for all the while, it’s definitely entertaining to watch.

Guess, I have to wait till early January (New Zealand’s release date is 21st Jan) next year to write up my take on this.

Source: SkyNews, SeattlePi, LA Times

Just read this post that there was a recent development of making Astro Boy as one of the celebrity wax figure, to be featured at Hong Kong’s Madame Tassaud’s Wax museum.  And now it’s currently being put on display for the local and international tourists to see.  What a great way to gather everybody’s attention to relish before its own premiere release on 17th October.

Here’s the extract from the article at E-travelbackboard.com.

“We are thrilled that Astro Boy will soon join the ranks of super stardom at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong. The process of bringing Astro Boy to our attraction has been one of our Studio’s most interesting and challenging projects to date, as his wax figure was created while the animated feature film was still being produced,” said Bret Pidgeon, general manager of Madame Tussauds Hong Kong and Shanghai.

“When Astro Boy was first created in the 1960s, he became an instant hit in Hong Kong, a superhero who has inspired generations of local residents. With such a strong cult following locally and around the world, we are confident that with the launch of Astro Boy’s wax likeness, he will again capture the imaginations of fans and our guests.” The launch of Astro Boy’s wax counterpart will mark the first time that Madame Tussauds Hong Kong has partnered with a film distributor to bring an animated cartoon character to the attraction.

Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Imagi Animation Studios, Francis Kao said, “This is an exhilarating opportunity and partnership for Imagi Animation Studios and Madame Tussauds Hong Kong. By introducing Astro Boy at one of Hong Kong’s top attractions, fans will have a rare opportunity to interact with their hero in person, helping to build buzz about the impending launch of the film. Madame Tussauds Hong Kong is home to a brilliant array of celebrities and we are sure that the adorable Astro Boy will be welcomed by locals and tourists alike.”

Created by the “god of manga” Osamu Tezuka, Astro Boy is the story of a classic superhero. Astro Boy was an original animated television series in the 1960s, and was also re-made in the 1980s and again in 2003.

Source:  E-travelbackboard.com

Whilst the movie is currently under way, with only 22 days to go, I found a little sneak peak preview of all of Astro Boy’s villains in the movie. They are done with impressive state-of-the-art 3D CGI animation which gives the villains the life of the evil character they’re playing, including some of the enemy robots Astro Boy will be facing.

Here’s the link to Astro Boy’s enemies gallery.

Source: IGN.com

Hong-based 3d animation film studio, IMAGI, maker of the latest Astro Boy movie,  a few days ago, announced a new CEO has been appointed after Douglas Glen resigned from the position. Here’s the news extract from ANN.com.

Imagi International Holdings Limited, the parent company of IMAGI Studios, has announced that Director Ting Chuk Kwan is serving as acting CEO as of September 23. Kwan replaces William Courtauld, who had been serving as acting CEO since Douglas Glen resigned from the top post in May. According to IMAGI, Courtauld is stepping down for health reasons, but will serve as executive director until October 23 and as non-executive director after that. IMAGI had also said in May that Glen will serve for six more months as a consultant.

IMAGI’s computer-animated film adaptation of Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy (Mighty Atom) manga will open in Japan on October 10, and then in North America on October 23.

Source:  ANN.com

Source: ANN.com

Astro Boy - Up, Up and Away!

I just went over to make a complete review of this week’s development of our favourite 50-year-old anime icon, Astro Boy, and found there are other movie release dates recently been announced. And I thought I should inform you in advance so you won’t miss the important scoop as September 2009 is coming to a close in 5 days time.

According to Imagi, they’re going to have a world premiere on the 5th October, held in Japan.  The production including director, David Bowers, producer, Maryan Garger, along with Japanese voice actors, Aya Ueto and Koji Yakusho are expected to attend the premiere.  The Japan’s release is set for 10th October, if you do not know that already.

In Hong Kong, where IMAGI’s headquarters are based, they’re going to have their own premiere on 17th October. Hong Kong voice actors, Aaron Kwok and Goum Ian Iskandar will be attending there along with IMAGI’s production crew.

And then, across the Pacific ocean, we have the North American counterpart, where Los Angeles is having their USA premiere, which is held on 19th October.  Hollywood celebrities that are casted for the film’s voice acting include Freddie Highmore, Kirsten Bell and Nicolas Cage are expected to attend.  Though, after reading its list of cast on this link, I couldn’t understand why the other big celebrities were not mentioned to attend like Donald Sutherland and Samuel L Jackson. Very odd.  Nevertheless, I certainly hope they’d still go since they are just as important as any other voice actors in the film.

The worldwide release is set on 23th October.

Only 29 nights of sleep to go…

Source: Cinemarx, Ainiticool, BlastMagazine, ANN.com

Just catching up with this. Hong Kong computer animation studio company, IMAGI, just posted a new movie clip from the much-anticipated film (one of Osamu’s Tezuka’s beloved manga creations) Astro Boy in a movie fan site. However, I had trouble viewing its latest movie clip from Moviefone.com so I decided to flip over to Youtube and just “youtubed” for it….

Here’s the clip.

Looks very promising. 3D graphics rendering is certainly top-notch. And boy (no pun intended), is he ever going to face several challenging opponents of all shapes and sizes! The film is said to be released in Japan on October 10. The American release is set for October 23. So my guess is that its worldwide release date would categorically fall on the same date as the American counterpart, just like how they did with Transformers 2 earlier this year.

Oooh… only 4 weeks left to go… How excitingly close is that? :)

Now while you may be eargerly waiting. If you’re living in Japan, there’s a marine complex in Aichi prefecture that’s planning to host an Osamu Tesuka’s convention centre. And it’s not about the entire collection of his best anime works. It’s all about Astro Boy. There’s a 3-metre statue waiting there for the general public to see. The convention is called “Mighty Atom Exhibition in Lagunasia” where you will find all the amazing recreational activities that your family and kids can do everything from buying Astro boy’s merchandise, games, food, festivals, etc etc.

You can find out more about the exhibition on Laguna Gamagori’s website. What’s really interesting about the exhibit is if you look at the map section, there’s huge outline that resembles the dimensions of Astro Boy, proportionately! Each ‘part’ of Astro Boy’s limbs caters different functions and activities for family of all ages.

That’s a real looker.

This exhibit opens on 19th September and closes on 30th November. I’d love to go unfortunately, I don’t think I’ve enough to get me up to other places in Japan other than Tokyo city itself. So if you are living in the land of the rising sun, then what are you waiting for? Go see it!!

NB: On Laguna’s website, there’s also an English language link at the very top right hand side. This link will take you a pdf download page that has information brochures for you to download and read all about the complex before you start making your travel arrangements to get there.

Source: ANN.com, Laguna Gamagori

American film studio company, Summit Entertainment, recently announced two Hollywood A-list stars to feature in Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy as a voice cast at the comic book convention in the USA. The details of their roles are unknown at this stage. But as time progresses we will find out for sure. The movie producers are rounding up all the A-list actors including the likes of Nicolas Cage, Donald Sutherland, Eugene Levy and many others for this Japan’s golden animation classic, and Charlize and Samuel are the latest people to throw into the mix of voice cast.

Charlize Theron

Samuel L. Jackson

There’s interesting rumour that Samuel Jackson is a long time otaku fan and with his recent success of his voice casting in another anime called Afro Samurai, very popular in Japan and other Western countries, it’s a little surprise why he should have no problem in getting through this ‘unchartered’ medium of pop culture.

More news on their roles for the film wil be revealed as we approach closer to the film’s deadline in October.

Source: AnimeNewsnetwork.com, CinemaBlend.com