Charlie Zuo

The Iron Giant (1999)

The Iron Giant (1999) is an animated science fiction film directed by Brad Bird and produced by Warner Bros. The film blends themes of identity, mortality and the human capacity for choice. Set against the backdrop of Cold War-era paranoia, the story explains the conflict between fear and understanding, the nature of free will vs predetermined purpose. The film focuses on a boy named Hogarth Hughes, who one night discovers a giant robot that crash-landed from space. The Iron Giant who is designed as a weapon of mass destruction, isn’t aware of its destructive capabilities, who he learns from Hogarth that it is capable of more than violence. Hogarth’s almost gentle and repeating words of “You are who you choose to be,” clarifying that one’s purpose does not dictate by their nature but by their choices following by its actions. The film also examines the human tendency to fear of the unpredictable. Kent Mansley, the government agent, seeing the Giant as a global threat rather than a being capable of change and peace. While through Hogarth’s innocent wisdom poses a counterpoint to Mansley’s fear driven worldview, advocating for compassion and understanding as the paths to peace.

Gerald McBoing Boing (1950)

Gerald McBoing Boing (1950) is an animated short film by UPA directed by Robert Cannon. The animation is minimalistic, using simplified, abstract designs and a bold use of color. A young boy named Gerald communicates entirely through sound effects like whistles, bells, and boings, which led his parents concerned and seeking help from a doctor and a schoolteacher. However still no one can figure out why Gerald can’t talk normally, until when he gave the schoolteacher a call. It was then when they discovered that they can hear him talking normally, just through calls. However in Dr. Seuss’s Gerald McBoing Boing, Gerald was noticed by a radio station owner who recognizes the potential in his sound effects abilities. Who then offers Gerald a job creating sound effects for radio programs.

Both Gerald McBoing Boing and The Iron Giant share a central theme of embracing individuality and turning what makes someone different into a strength. In both stories, the main characters are misunderstood because of their unique traits that was initially perceived as problems, are finally embraced and celebrated. However the short film Gerald McBoing Boing is way lighthearted, and a whimsical tone, using humor and a playful animation style addressing Gerald’s struggles. The Iron Giant, while still an animated film, has more of a serious emotional tone, dealing with heavy themes like war, fear and sacrifice. The film delves deeper into complex emotions like the ethics of violence.

https://irongiant.fandom.com/wiki/The_Iron_Giant_(film)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_McBoing-Boing