Why The Iron Giant is More Than Just a Cartoon | Video Essay

In this video essay we discuss and analyse the impact of cartoons and animated movies on our mental and moral development. And how Brad Bird's animated classic The Iron Giant uses character arcs to embed its moral message.

#TheIronGiant #BradBird #VideoEssay #AnimatedFilms

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[RawBerserker]

It'll never be "just a cartoon", it'll always be a piece of art that will forever stand the test of time and will draw tears with every viewing

[thebigshep]

Alright. No joke. This is that one movie for me. That one movie from my childhood I can quote backwards and forwards. I've probably watched it at least twice a year since I was four years old. Every time I see that giant and his big glowing eyes my brain is hit with a tidal wave of nostalgia and serotonin. In my mind this movie is absolutely perfect, along with the memories I have associated with it

[Roadman]

"You stay, I go...no following" about there is when the crying happens. Even if I know how this movie ends, I just can't stop bawling after that. Truly a beautiful and underrated piece of art and unlike some animated movies can be fully enjoyed by anyone. Brad Bird is a fantastic director with not only Iron Giant but Incredibles 1-2 and Ratatouille under his belt, however his other works have nothing on Iron Giant.

[JackHandelman]

Idk why this movie hits different to me. Gives me a feeling of home, nostalgia, comfort, and happiness. Honestly one of the most under rated movies of all time.

[adampoll]

This is the almost perfect movie. Not a piece of single dialogue that doesn't add to character. Not a scene that doesn't add to story.

My son some many years ago insisted on watching this movie every night for at least a week, and we NEVER got tired of watching it, but in fact learned to appreciate the elegance of the pacing, script, art style, and the genuine love that went into this movie.

[kurtbansag]

"You stay I go, no following." still gives me the emotional chills as an adult.

I have my 3rd grade Thai students watched this back in 2018. They were all in tears.

[jacoblimon]

I loved this movie so much as a kid, even till now. I remember crying the first time I saw the giant give his life to save the town. Being 25 years old now and having sons of my own, it is a beautiful sight to watch my 2 and 1yr old watch this movie and enjoy every bit of it.. The other day while watching the movie my 2 yr old said "daddy the giant is gone" with tears in his eyes.. that brought me right to tears because I'll never forget how I felt as a kid but at the time I was around 5 when I saw this movie. The Iron Giant will always hold a special place in my heart

[aaronisacomedian]

I was in 3rd grade when this came out. My whole world was changing. My parents had just split up, I was 2 states away from home. "You are who you choose to be". The Iron Giant has always been and always will be there for me.

[AdditiveOutlier]

This movie's structure is another thing to marvel at. You can't watch 5 minutes of it without encountering a setup that later pays off greatly.

Subtle foreshadowing, great themes and the only good fake out death ever, which has been set up masterfully.

I'm not a cinema connoisseur, but the only movie whose structure surpasses that of the Iron Giant that comes to my mind is the Dark Knight.

[Spudcore]

Such a beautiful film. One of those rare adaptations that manages to outshine its source material. The "Superman" bit never fails to make me tear up.

[omt]

The Iron Giant is the greatest animated film ever made outside of Disney. This was a masterpiece. Spirited Away and The Land Before Time are great too but this film was just an amazing film that finally got an audience by word of mouth on DVD and Blu Ray.

[camiloindart]

I had the chance to watch this movie on a cinema here in Argentina like a year ago. The thing is that here (and i think latinamerica in general), the movie never actually premiered on cinema, so it was very special. I have always enjoyed it on TV, on cartoon network, but watch it on the big screen was awesome.

[hotcofi]

Huh.
Never thought a YouTube video essay would make me cry.
This is a good video

[BobLikesCheese]

Okay okay okay I'm a minute in and that five second clip of the Iron Giant saying "Superman" as he closes his eyes almost had me bawling.

[jamiedetwiler]

Just watched this movie yesterday and realized it fits such a specific category for me: It’s a Fall movie, not a Halloween movie, but one that specifically feels like Autumn. That time when school is just beginning and there’s a sense of newness while also seeing the changing of the leaves. It feels cozy and familiar. There’s a warmness to it that feels like returning home after a few years

[trevorfisher]

I never got to watch this movies til now at 22, and it blew my mind how incredible it is! I missed out on this movie as a kid. Thank you so much for giving us a behind the scene on it. I love cinema and how it can be used to distill values and bring joy to the world.

[owenripperger]

I’ve watched this movie hundreds of times, and it always brings tears to face. I would always watch it at my grandmas house, I loved this movie as a kid and I still do

[austinrose]

This movie is my childhood. I watched this so much as a kid and still do as an adult. These movies show that you choose your destiny and future and dare I say it, your are who you choose to be. I plan on getting a tattoo of the iron giant on me in the future after I get my current piece done.

[IndigenousTwonkie]

I was baffled that when talking friends, then and now, that only a handful of them have watched or remember this movie. It had such an impact on my childhood and I wished it was a bigger hit with others, cause it had layers or important messaging. Kudos to you, Sir, amazing video!

[Scorch_Burns]

"I am *NOT* a gun, " -The Iron Giant