The teaser trailer for Imagi Animation's Astro Boy hit the InterWebs recently, and it's a strangely lackluster affair.
Astro Boy Stars Freddie Highmore, Nicolas Cage
Sure there's not a lot in the 48 second spot – it is a teaser trailer after all – but the animation doesn't look as strong as it could.
The teaser mainly features a pair of scientists doing a Frankenstein (you're waiting for them to scream maniacally, "It's alive!") with some fancy looking gadgets and lots of lightning – or that funky "blue energy" that the synopsis talks about – then it flips to our hero flying through the clouds, tunneling through the earth and then shooting out the top of Mount Fuji.
The surprising element is how dark and cold Imagi is going with the colour tones on this flick. Certainly, Osamu Tezuka's original tale had some darkness to it, but Astro Boy always seemed fairly bright and cheery, even as things were going wrong for him.
In this trailer, there are a ton of blues, which makes our little boy robot seem not as appealing as in previous incarnations. Imagi needs to add some warmer tones into the mix.
What's It About?
Here's the synopsis for Astro Boy, courtesy of Imagi's website:
"Set in futuristic Metro City, Astro Boy is about a young robot with incredible powers. Powered by pure positive "blue" energy, Astro Boy (Highmore) is endowed with super strength, x-ray vision, unbelievable speed and the ability to fly-not to mention the purest spirit on the planet.
"Embarking on a journey across the planet to discover his powers, Astro Boy encounters a netherworld of robot gladiators and other comic characters, and learns the joys and emotions of being human. When he learns his friends and family are in danger, Astro Boy marshals all his awesome super powers and returns to Metro City, in a valiant effort to save everything he cares about and to embrace his place in the world."
Given the property's rabid fanbase in Asia and parts of North America, hopefully Imagi hasn't shot themselves in the foot with this version of the classic anime character.
Freddie Highmore voices the titular role, while Nicolas Cage, Kristen Bell, Nathan Lane, Bill Nighy, Eugene Levy, Matt Lucas and Donald Sutherland fill out the rest of the cast. David Bowers (Flushed Away) is in the director's chair, while Timothy Harris (Space Jam) writes the script.
Gatchaman? Anyone? Bueller?
On a completely different note, how come there hasn't been anything for Gatchaman? That film is due earlier in the year (April 3rd) and right now, it looks like the stronger bet. Despite it currently not having a director (former helmers Kevin Munroe and Lynne Southerland were removed this past April), the script is by Paul Dini (Batman: The Animated Series) and Robert Mark Kamen (The Transporter), which bodes well for the plot, at least.
Hopefully, Imagi can pull it together for the film's release date.
Astro Boy flies into theatres on October 23, 2009.
