Hes Waving at us
Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 2:38 am
http://www.firstshowing.net/2007/10/05/first-look-imagi-animations-astroboy-up-close-and-personal/
First Look: Imagi Animation's AstroBoy Up Close and Personal
October 5, 2007
Source: Hollywood Reporter
by Alex Billington
The people over at Imagi Animation Studios have provided us exclusively with the first look in high res at the upcoming AstroBoy CGI movie. This is the same studio that brought us TMNT in March, and damn did that movie look fantastic! It was one of the most comparable CGI movies to a Pixar movie that I've ever seen. One of Imagi's upcoming features (in addition to Gatchaman) is AstroBoy, a big screen CGI adaptation of the cult Japanese manga and eventually TV anime series that originated back in 1952. Curious to see how AstroBoy looks in CGI?
AstroBoy tells the story of a powerful robot boy created by a brilliant scientist in the image of the son he lost. Our hero journeys to find acceptance in the human world and ultimately discovers true friendship as he uses his incredible powers to help others and save Metro City from destruction.
AstroBoy is being directed by long-time animator Colin Brady. He commented on the film in a recent update, stating that they're "being faithful to Tezuka's original story arc, [and] at the same time bringing out elements needed for those unfamiliar with the story." He also added more about working on the project, which was entirely new to him when he was first approached.
"I was intrigued with the possibility of the project. I'm in the process of educating myself about the 'AstroBoy universe, and I love what I see. 'AstroBoy utilizes very classical story principles of the hero's journey that we see in all good storytelling around the world, Jensen said. "AstroBoy has the moral underpinning and strong emotional resonance that a lot of animation today is lacking."
Given how much I actually liked TMNT this year, I'm fully supportive of all things Imagi is doing. They're based in Hong Kong but that doesn't mean they have the same dedication and passion as the people at Pixar and DreamWorks here in the US. AstroBoy will arrive in theaters sometime in 2009.
Hmmmmmmmm, not sure yet! 
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