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Astro Boy (2009) Rank 5 Reviews

Expert Review Summary
Movie critics combined give Astro Boy (2009) a score of 2.5209 out of 4
based on (67) reviews
Click on the numbers to the right of the graph to see reviews of that rating
Excellent
4
Excellent
(6)
Very Good
3
Very Good
(37)
Good
2
Good
(22)
Fair
1
Fair
(2)
Poor
0
Poor
(0)
Reviews by Score:
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 3.75 out of 4 stars for VarietyVariety
A well-oiled CG-animated superhero pic that makes up in competence and vitality what it lacks in originality. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Variety
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 3.75 out of 4 stars for Jam! MoviesJam! Movies
Astro Boy could teach Wall-E a few things about being a robot. Full of complex emotion and crackling adventure, Astro Boy hits the big screen after 58 years in comics and TV. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Jam! Movies
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 3.60 out of 4 stars for Dallas Morning News (Nancy Churnin)Dallas Morning News (Nancy Churnin)
The comic-book world plumbs our deep craving for saviors - mostly found from lonely and rejected outsiders who win the love of their adopted world by saving it from destruction over and over again. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Dallas Morning News (Nancy Churnin)
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for OregonianOregonian
It's not every kids movie that features the death --nay, vaporization! -- of its protagonist in the first reel, but "Astro Boy" somehow manages this trick without resulting in massive amounts of juvenile emotional trauma. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Oregonian
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for Tri-City HeraldTri-City Herald
Astro Boy is one of the few animated flicks these days actually produced for kids and not adults. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Tri-City Herald
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for Courier MailCourier Mail
The feature-length film, modelled on Pixar films, merges the best of western and eastern animation styles. result is an entertaining film that should satisfy both adults and children. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Courier Mail
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 3.25 out of 4 stars for Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles Times
"Astro Boy" plays like "Transformers" for tots, a "Pinocchio" story that stays true to its source material's storied past without adding much in the way of interest, outside of some clankingly obvious political subtext that will alienate people of all str ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Los Angeles Times
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 3.25 out of 4 stars for The AgeThe Age
Astro Boy should please new-generation fans as thoroughly as nostalgia-hungry adults who grew up with the cartoons of the 1960s and 1980s. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at The Age
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 3.25 out of 4 stars for New York Post (Billy Heller)New York Post (Billy Heller)
This computer-animated adaptation of the 1950s-created future boy from Osamu Tezuka, the godfather of Japanese manga, is actually a sweet and endearing movie. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at New York Post (Billy Heller)
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 3.25 out of 4 stars for Screen Daily ReviewScreen Daily Review
Almost 60 years after his comic-book inception, the iconic Japanese robot Astro Boy finally makes his cinematic debut in a feature that, unfortunately, feels as if it has been assembled from spare parts. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Screen Daily Review
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Sacramento News & Review (Jim Lane)Sacramento News & Review (Jim Lane)
A scientist in a futuristic floating city (voiced by Nicolas Cage) creates a robotic replica of his dead son (Freddie Highmore), but when the "boy" is attacked by the city's ruling tyrant (Donald Sutherland), he flees to the savage planetary surface ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Sacramento News & Review (Jim Lane)
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Chicago Sun-TimesChicago Sun-Times
"Astro Boy" is yet another animated comedy in which the hero, who is about the same age as his target audience, is smarter, braver and stronger than the adults in his world. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Chicago Sun-Times
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for TIME.comTIME.com
There are no kids in Hollywood, only a kid market. So the moguls gleefully rub their rough hands at the recent blooming of animated features into a reliable blockbuster genre. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at TIME.com
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for St. Louis Post-DispatchSt. Louis Post-Dispatch
Although "Astro Boy" is marred by some occasional cutesiness, its heart is in the right place. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Entertainment WeeklyEntertainment Weekly
If you're pining for the richness of a Pixar film, or even for the crackerjack comedy of, say, Kung Fu Panda, look elsewhere. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Entertainment Weekly
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for MSNBCMSNBC
Given my somewhat idiosyncratic taste in family films, I should probably start this review with a disclaimer - if you thought I was crazy for championing "Meet the Robinsons" ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at MSNBC
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for NYC Movie GuruNYC Movie Guru
Based on the comic book series by Osamu Tezuka. Toby (voice of Freddie Highmore), a young boy, lives with his father, Dr. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at NYC Movie Guru
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for TheDivaReview.comTheDivaReview.com
Good gravy, alert the media, someone's done made a movie out of Astro Boy. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at TheDivaReview.com
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Houston ChronicleHouston Chronicle
The kid has guns in his butt. That's all I have to say. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Houston Chronicle
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.90 out of 4 stars for Reeling Reviews (Robin Clifford)Reeling Reviews (Robin Clifford)
"Astro Boy" is a good candidate for a 3D release but that is not in the cards. There is enough going on to make that extra dimension an excellent addition to the finished product. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Reeling Reviews (Robin Clifford)
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.90 out of 4 stars for Detroit News (Tom Long)Detroit News (Tom Long)
"Astro Boy" is a blast, a jolt of Japanese anime channeled through British slap-shtick that ends up yet another cool cartoon for both kids and adults. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Detroit News (Tom Long)
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.80 out of 4 stars for Arizona Republic (Bill Goodykoontz)Arizona Republic (Bill Goodykoontz)
Here's the way this usually works: A full-length movie version of a beloved anime production comes out, and fans inevitably are disappointed, claiming it doesn't live up to the source material. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Arizona Republic (Bill Goodykoontz)
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.75 out of 4 stars for E! OnlineE! Online
One of the original icons of Japanese anime-the robot boy with the atomic heart-gets a Hollywood upgrade in this sporadically entertaining but somewhat muddled all-star CG animated feature. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at E! Online
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.75 out of 4 stars for Can MagazineCan Magazine
Now this is part of the original mythology, but a boy is killed in the first act. Wow, that's dark. Kids might not be able to articulate it, but they'll feel the harsh theme. No matter how awesome a robot Dr. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Can Magazine
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.75 out of 4 stars for film.com (Eric D. Snider)film.com (Eric D. Snider)
You tread on shaky ground when you make an animated film for kids that's also straight-up science fiction -- not The Jetsons sci-fi, but real sci-fi, with complex ideas and political metaphors and laws of robotics, all that Isaac Asimov stuff. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at film.com (Eric D. Snider)
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.75 out of 4 stars for Washington TimesWashington Times
Summit Entertainment has tried just a little too hard to broaden the appeal of its new computer-animated feature "Astro Boy," liberally sprinkling the kiddie picture with references that only adults will understand. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Washington Times
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.75 out of 4 stars for Comingsoon.netComingsoon.net
In some ways, "Astro Boy" finds a way to straddle the divide between the mainstream pandering of DreamWorks Animation movies like "Monsters vs. Aliens" and the more artistic genre-driven "9. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Comingsoon.net
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.60 out of 4 stars for Philadelphia Daily News (Gary Thompson)Philadelphia Daily News (Gary Thompson)
"Astro Boy" is based on a popular Japanese cartoon from the 1950s that's lived several lives on television, and now makes the jump to the big screen. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Philadelphia Daily News (Gary Thompson)
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for Twin Cities Pioneer Press (Chris Hewitt)Twin Cities Pioneer Press (Chris Hewitt)
The whole time you're watching "Astro Boy," you feel like you're waiting for the movie to start. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Twin Cities Pioneer Press (Chris Hewitt)
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) (John Beifuss)Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) (John Beifuss)
Because the new computer-generated animated feature "Astro Boy" is faithful in some respects to its key sources, the 1950s comic book and 1960s TV series created by the so-called "God of Manga," Osamu Tezuka, it may creep some people out - parents more ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) (John Beifuss)
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for Sci Fi Wire (Todd Gilchrist)Sci Fi Wire (Todd Gilchrist)
Even if it's faithfully based on decades of cartoon and manga mythology, Astro Boy is a recklessly grown-up movie. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Sci Fi Wire (Todd Gilchrist)
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for Time Out New YorkTime Out New York
Tezuka Osamu's 1950s manga, and the subsequent '60s cartoon series that sprang from it, begat modern anime, and while David Bowers's film about the titular robot doesn't break similar ground, his whiz-bang take does update the iconic character for the com ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Time Out New York
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for USA TODAYUSA TODAY
Astro Boy feels as if it were cobbled together from extraneous parts. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at USA TODAY
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for Variety (Andrew Baker)Variety (Andrew Baker)
Appropriately for a film about robots, efficiency is the primary virtue of "Astro Boy," a well-oiled CG-animated superhero pic that makes up in competence and vitality what it lacks in originality. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Variety (Andrew Baker)
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for Time Out New YorkTime Out New York
What's ultimately more impressive than the vigorous madcap action and innocuous humor, however, is Bowers's willingness to address adult themes-alienation, regret, class tensions-with a directness that shows a surprising respect for his target young-adult ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Time Out New York
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for Groucho Reviews (Peter Canavese)Groucho Reviews (Peter Canavese)
The Tin Man, Frankenstein's monster, Mr. Spock, the Terminator: we love our stories of non-humans striving to become more like us. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Groucho Reviews (Peter Canavese)
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for The Hollywood ReporterThe Hollywood Reporter
Designed to cater to older kids and their nostalgic parents, the heavily marketed Summit Entertainment release could be well-positioned to attract a sizable demographic. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at The Hollywood Reporter
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for Urban CinefileUrban Cinefile
There's an appealing mix of characters including Eugene Levy's hilarious robot Orrin, ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Urban Cinefile
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for Slant Magazine (Ed Gonzalez)Slant Magazine (Ed Gonzalez)
proud civilian of Mero City, Toby (voiced by a sprightly Freddie Highmore) is an overconfident, brainy child who often revels in the latest robotic innovation by his elusive father, the renowned scientist Dr. Tenma (Nicolas Cage). ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Slant Magazine (Ed Gonzalez)
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for Filmink reviewFilmink review
That's just the start of an adventure that's loaded with fantastic action and tremendous characters. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Filmink review
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for Time Out SydneyTime Out Sydney
The film is an origin story about how Astro Boy (Freddie Highmore) is created by Dr Tenma (Nicolas Cage) to replace his dead son; how he discovers and struggles with his true robotic identity; and then realises his destiny as the saviour of mankind. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Time Out Sydney
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for I.E. WeeklyI.E. Weekly
While parents fret over the fright factor of the Wild Things, an even darker cartoon prepares to creep into the multiplex. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at I.E. Weekly
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for Boston Globe (Ty Burr)Boston Globe (Ty Burr)
A new "Astro Boy"? Why not? If the movies can bring Alvin and the Chipmunks back from the pop-culture dead, what's wrong with digitally reviving a character who deserves a second career? Especially when the results are as promising, if as bizarre ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Boston Globe (Ty Burr)
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.25 out of 4 stars for Chicago Reader (Andrea Gronvall)Chicago Reader (Andrea Gronvall)
Osamu Tezuka's groundbreaking 60s anime series gets a stylish CGI update in this sci-fi animation. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Chicago Reader (Andrea Gronvall)
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.25 out of 4 stars for The Sydney Morning Herald The Sydney Morning Herald
It strays too far from the original to please hard-core fans and it is so confused in tone and purpose that it is hard to tell where it's aimed. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at The Sydney Morning Herald
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.25 out of 4 stars for Washington PostWashington Post
On the one hand, it's inspired by the beloved 1960s television cartoon of the same name, created by Japanese manga/anime icon Osamu Tezuka. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Washington Post
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.25 out of 4 stars for Toronto StarToronto Star
A pioneering example of Japanese anime gets a Hollywood retrofit with less-than-dazzling results in Astro Boy. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Toronto Star
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.25 out of 4 stars for MSN Movies (James Rocchi)MSN Movies (James Rocchi)
To ease the loss of a child in a near-future techno-metropolis, a robot boy is made to help a parent with their grief, but the perfect replacement cannot soothe the imperfect needs of a broken heart. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at MSN Movies (James Rocchi)
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.25 out of 4 stars for Deseret News, Salt Lake City (Jeff Vice)Deseret News, Salt Lake City (Jeff Vice)
The title character in "Astro Boy" is cobbled together from spare parts lying around a robotics laboratory. He's a mechanical Frankenstein's monster - minus the monster part. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Deseret News, Salt Lake City (Jeff Vice)
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.25 out of 4 stars for BrandonFibs.comBrandonFibs.com
The character of Astro Boy has always been something of a Japanese national symbol (Astro Boy is for Japan what Mickey Mouse is for America), the allegorical phoenix that rose from the postwar ashes and saved itself through the application of technology. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at BrandonFibs.com
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for New York Daily NewsNew York Daily News
David Bowers' retro-cool update on the titular icon looks so great, it may take a while to notice it's a clunky political parable wrapped in a tonally confused fairy tale. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at New York Daily News
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for 7M Pictures7M Pictures
After seeing "Astro Boy," I told a friend that it lay somewhere between "WALL-E" and "Space Chimps." I will be the first to acknowledge that this is one heck of a divide, but it's the best way I can encapsulate the film for a fresh eye. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at 7M Pictures
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for heraldsun.comheraldsun.com
The Japanese rights-holders to Astro Boy only recently relaxed this hardline stance, swayed by the promise of a big-budget adaptation that would do justice to the Tezuka legacy. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at heraldsun.com
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Filmcritic.com (Bill Gibron)Filmcritic.com (Bill Gibron)
Astro Boy represents everything that's wrong with the current crop of animated CG films. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Filmcritic.com (Bill Gibron)
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Globe and Mail (Jennie Punter)Globe and Mail (Jennie Punter)
In the days when TV cartoons weren't available 24/7, kids lived for Saturday mornings and Bugs Bunny. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Globe and Mail (Jennie Punter)
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for The Sci-Fi Movie PageThe Sci-Fi Movie Page
A promise of a sequel at the end of the film (where our now shirtless boy-hero tears off into the sky) remains an unlikely prospect, but if there must be further Astro adventures, let's hope the filmmakers stick to heroic feats of strength and aerial ball ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at The Sci-Fi Movie Page
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Associated PressAssociated Press
As its own entity, though, it's pretty forgettable. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Associated Press
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for The PhoenixThe Phoenix
Five-year-olds who attend MoveOn.org rallies in between tee-ball and bath time are sure to love the new David Bowers-directed interpretation of Osamu Tezuka's flagship character. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at The Phoenix
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 1.80 out of 4 stars for One Guy's Opinion (Frank Swietek)One Guy's Opinion (Frank Swietek)
The original Japanese manga, which began in 1951, and the television series based on it, which became the first Japanese show exported to the U.S. in 1963, had long and happy lives. And there have been plenty of incarnations of "Astro Boy" since. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at One Guy's Opinion (Frank Swietek)
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 1.75 out of 4 stars for Chicago MetromixChicago Metromix
Save for a decent visual gag or two, "Astro Boy" is a big fat flying snooze. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Chicago Metromix
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 1.75 out of 4 stars for Courier MailCourier Mail
"Like a pig-iron fisted metaphor, Astro Boy the film resembles the robot, in that it is cobbled together out of parts we recognise. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Courier Mail
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 1.60 out of 4 stars for Killer Movie Reviews (Andrea Chase)Killer Movie Reviews (Andrea Chase)
ASTRO BOY suffers a surfeit of sentiment. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Killer Movie Reviews (Andrea Chase)
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 1.50 out of 4 stars for AV Club (Tasha Robinson)AV Club (Tasha Robinson)
Maybe children's films should all get double review grades: one for kids, and another for their parents and guardians. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at AV Club (Tasha Robinson)
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 1.50 out of 4 stars for Salt Lake TribuneSalt Lake Tribune
The cheap '60s Japanese TV cartoon series, about a robot boy who routinely saves the world, is updated into a cheap and sometimes unsettling computer-animated adventure. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Salt Lake Tribune
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 1.50 out of 4 stars for NewsdayNewsday
Appropriately, perhaps, there's something robotic about "Astro Boy," the computer-animated feature based on the 1960s Japanese series that was the first anime on U.S. TV. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Newsday
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 1.00 out of 4 stars for Belief NetBelief Net
A show of hands, everyone. If you think it's a good idea to begin a movie for children by killing off a young boy in an industrial accident as his father looks on, raise your hand. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Belief Net
Astro Boy (2009) scores a combined 0.50 out of 4 stars for Flick Filosopher (MaryAnn Johanson)Flick Filosopher (MaryAnn Johanson)
Sometime in the future, a few lucky folks live in a floating paradise above the garbage-strewn, hellishly postapocalyptic surface of the Earth. ...read the complete Astro Boy movie review at Flick Filosopher (MaryAnn Johanson)

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Movie Reviews: Action
Astro Boy (2009) Reviews
Astro Boy (2009)

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Ratings and rankings are based on number of movie, review scores, awards & other criteria.
Overall Rating:
2.4286
Astro Boy (2009) is ranked overall as out of 4 stars
Avg Critic Score:
2.5209
Astro Boy (2009) is ranked overall as out of 4 stars
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