In the year 1957, in a suburb of Maine, a 9-year-old boy named Hogarth is trying to show his mom a new pet, even though she won’t let him have one. It’s a squirrel and it ends up loose in the restaurant that Hogarth’s mother works at.

Sometime later, he goes into a forest and comes across something peculiar. It’s a giant robot made of iron. As of this point, Hogarth sees it as a threat.

Regardless of that, though, he ends up saving it from being electrocuted. From that moment on, he befriends the robot.

However, the federal government in Washington D.C. sees the robot as a danger to the people. Agent Kent Mansley decides to take the next step.

When with the robot, Hogarth not only bonds with him, but he also teaches him how to speak and even learn about the world around him. The robot eats metal, which includes train tracks. He accidentally gets close to putting an incoming train in peril.

As a result, the robot loses its parts. While eating dinner with his mom, Hogarth tries to get the pieces under control while also hiding them from her. Shortly after, though, Mansley arrives. Hogarth’s mother begins to trust him. She even allows him to use the landline.

Not only that, she also gives him a room to stay in. Hogarth dislikes him, though.

The next day, Hogarth and the robot spend more time together. But the robot does something that disturbs this guy, Dean McCoppin. Yet Dean has a good relationship with Hogarth and his mother. He is also willing to help look after the robot.

At some point, Hogarth and the robot see a deer – only for some hunters to kill it. Hogarth then explains the concept of death to the robot.

Meanwhile, Mansley comes across a photo of Hogarth and the giant robot. He gathers the government and military to destroy the robot.

Despite how Hogarth tried to convince everyone that the robot is harmless, no one will listen to him. The robot is now in danger.

What will happen next?

I will admit that the first half of this movie bored me a bit. I don’t know why, though.

On the bright side, it became more engaging during the second half, particularly when tension levels increased. I would constantly worry about what was going to happen to the robot.

Which brings me to my next thought: I deeply admired Hogarth’s bond with the robot. I also loved how the robot could talk, even if his words weren’t always clear.

I enjoyed hating Mansley. He was a jerk to both Hogarth and the robot.

Hogarth’s mom was also likable, despite how she only got some screen time with her son. Dean was admirable was well. I found it funny when he let the robot do arts and crafts with the metal in the junkyard.

Another humorous part was when the robot jumped into the lake and made the water splash all over the streets. And it was too cold to swim.

The pacing was neither too slow nor too fast. The same occurred with the scenes.

Some moments were a little bit hard to follow. Yet there were not too many like that.

Several twists and turns happen, as well – both happy and sad. See the movie to find out what they are.

Overall, I thought The Iron Giant was decent. If the first half wasn’t boring, I would have enjoyed the whole thing.

I give this film 3.5 out of 5 stars.