Astro Boy Reboot (Future animated series)

[Little Brown Fox]

Yeah, sometimes the storytelling for the series is kind of a mess! At least, for the manga and the 60's show. :3 And of course, it's probably a huge turn-off for people, especially in regards to their kids, given the usual turn of events in said origin story. People complained about the movie for what it did to Toby... although I'm not sure that was much better, tbh; I suppose the best that can be said was that it was mercifully brief. I think the 80's is probably the worst of all, though... no duh it was edited, heh.

[Dragonrider1227]

It can be. I think the 2003 series made the concept work a lot better. Maybe something like that could've worked for the movie.
I heard some fans complain about the change of Toby's death but I personally think it doesn't really matter how he dies. Just that he dies some how, Tenma is overwhelmed with grief and tries to replace him with a robot. Like I said, MacGuffin device. In a way, the movie kind of works because Toby was killed by something Tenma helped create adding to the guilt on Tenma's part.

[Little Brown Fox]

It's always kind of his fault, though; in the cases where it's explained, like in the 80's and 2003 series, it's usually the result of some form of neglect. It's the same thing here, except that he actually built the thing that killed his son. (Even if it's more Stone's fault for everything, ultimately, including the mistake that caused it to go berserk...)

I watched the trailer a couple of times again last night. :< Aside from the HD not working like it's supposed to anymore (although technically I don't even think this sputtering tank can get an actual HD picture; but it still looks better on 720p), it just made me kinda wistful and sad. I hope they say something soon.

[Dragonrider1227]

Yeah, but this helped make it more clear in the short amount of time they had.

For the reboot? Haven't watched it again recently but I am still excited for it. It's interesting actually to see so many people trying their hand at Astro Boy despite the last couple of attempts ending not so well. I don't think many franchises would be given this many chances so I think it really says something about Astro's appeal as a character

[Little Brown Fox]

Whoops haha, forgot to specify that but yeah. ^-^;

The original story, as well as the original character, both have a lot of appeal to them. The story, depending on how you interpret it, at the very least has the potential for that standard "coming-of-age adventure" fare; people will always love those, it seems. And Astro himself, also depending on how you slice it, is a very likable character. When done right, he is a sweet, charming boy; sometimes a little too perfect, but ultimately seldom making mistakes and very hard to stay mad at. (Hence why I came to like the movie, at least to an extent- and specifically, Astro and his character's portrayal and appearance- once you get over the whole "older" thing.)

It is kind of a wonder to see so many people want to take a stab at his story. But ultimately, this will hopefully prove fruitful for us; we may eventually get that full fandom renaissance that the movie was supposed to give us (we got some new blood, more or less including myself by way of piquing my interest in the character again when seeing the movie's advertising and late promotional material; but it wasn't a lot, and a lot of those fans have seemed to have disappeared or lost interest).

I just want more previews, to be honest. Even some character art, with or without context, would be good- because then at least it'd be something. Gosh dang.

[Dragonrider1227]

Who knows? In time the movie might still bring an audience. I've seen movies that fell in the box office grow big underground followings through rentals and home video. Though as far as growing underground followings is concerned, the movie is going pretty slow. The 2003 series probably has a better chance of doing that. Even with it's poor dub.

[Little Brown Fox]

Well, in all fairness the movie doesn't quite deserve it. For all that it is charming in certain aspects, and the people who designed and animated it worked hard on it, that doesn't change the fact that the direction and the writing (and some of the acting) is kinda terrible. It actually took a few watches out of sheer boredom to even start liking it at all. It's... kind of sad, really. It could have been more than it was; but what it has going for it ain't enough to save it. Bottom line, I do like it (in an odd grudging sort of way), but it's not exactly a hidden gem within the rough. It appeals to some people, but not to most, it would seem; and certainly not to all.

Of course, some things get to be liked simply by how terrible they are; but, I wouldn't want to see that happen. It's not nearly terrible enough, anyway; what makes it feel so terrible is its overwhelming mediocrity. Let such a thing never happen in this franchise again. The legacy of the character and his creator certainly do not deserve it.

[Dragonrider1227]

interestingly, I saw the movie in theaters and thought it was quite good. It wasn't until numerous watches on DVD that I started noticing how lack lust it gets around the middle. Basically, I gave it a 4 out of 5 when I came out of the theater but now I think I give it a 3.
Oh yeah, there are plenty of movies out there loved just for how bad they are. But I don't see this movie quite THAT bad. yeah, it was too mediocre to even be bad

[Little Brown Fox]

Somehow, though, that makes it worse... at least, it does for me.

Hm, idk if my opinion of it would have been too different had I seen it in theaters first, instead of a DVD rental. I'm not sure it would have improved the experience too drastically... but, going to the theater IS better, to me. Especially since my TV is way too small, standard definition, and has mono sound... But, there's the fact that I would have had to go with somebody. I can't exactly get around by myself, yeah? And while sometimes it's fine, there was that one time, with Megamind... (and to rub salt in the wound, not only did I subject myself and others to a terrible movie, it came out on DVD like, a week later >:T ) So, that greatly heightened the sense of personal embarrassment. In my defense, it was a Dreamworks film; they kind of have a track record, and I had recently watched the first How to Train Your Dragon in that very same theater, so I had high expectations.

It's so much worse when you let other people in on the things that you're into, and the one thing you were trying to enjoy ends up being terrible- for everyone involved, including yourself. While I might have liked it more if I was alone, if I had to sit with someone else, then the embarrassment may have put me off from watching it ever again. Though, I don't think the film was quite as bad as I found Megamind- then again, I've seen it several times now, whereas I only saw Megamind once...

[Dragonrider1227]

Oh, I know the feeling of watching things you're into with other people. I've watched shows I really like with my mother in the room and that's the moment they play a bad episode so I feel almost this sense of judgement over it. I also keep my Tezuka animes to myself since whenever I watch any of them around her, she complains how sad and depressing they are. (Yet she's a big Death Note fan. Go figure.)

Didn't like Megamind? I thought it was pretty good but to each their own.