Review of Iron Giant, The

Introduction

I`ve had this disc for some time now and must have watched it over a dozen times. It was released back in 1999 on region one DVD at the same time as the theatrical UK release.
Back then I wasn`t as selective with my DVD choices and would snap up any DVD with an early release. Some of my choices weren`t good but surprisingly The Iron Giant was one big exception.
I am a Disney fan at heart and it takes a really good piece of animation to sway me away from the house of the mouse but this had everything Disney, and more to boot.
Warner`s animation house has its own distinctive style, just look at the fabulous made for TV Batman toons. That style blended with a truly wonderful story by Ted Hughes and characters you relay feel for and care about, even the giant himself, make for a truly startling piece of animation from Warner.

Video

You have a choice of viewing options on this DVD, either Anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen or Pan & Scan 1.33:1 (Full Screen). Both are top end transfers with no blemishes from the print and not a pixel of digital artefact to be seen. The colours are superbly vivid and relay show of the 1950`s animation stylings. This animation used some digital 3D CGI imaging to create the Iron Giant himself. And although the film isn`t a direct digital transfer like Tarzan you`d swear it could be. The picture is that good.

Audio

Just glorious Dolby Digital 5.1, and from the outset it really impresses. In the first five minutes the bass extension is mind blowing, house shaking, toe curling. The surrounds fill every inch of the room and the dialogue is pin point accurate and easily audible at all times. Forget DTS or THX certification this is DD 5.1 sound at its best. That said I do have DTS and THX certification and I won`t be throwing it away just yet!

Features

Some nice interactive menus, brief making of featurette with Vin Diesel (the voice of the Iron Giant). A music Video, dull. Trailers, filmography, DVD Rom PC features. This all adds up to quite a nice selection but not on par with a Disney special edition release. The mouse does roars most of the time!

Conclusion

Just brilliant, the movie has all the elements of the best of Disney. The disc on the other hand does not. But I don`t base a good DVD on its extras, most Disney titles have recently covered the same ground over and over on each new DVD. The Iron Giant holds its own with a fantastic and poignant animated feature. If you don`t get a lump in your throat at the end of this you must be made of Iron too!