Super-surreal cartoon about a little boy who's love for science took him further than he could ever use in his young imagination. His father serving as a current head of the "Ministry of Science" in the mystical island of Metro City is coerced into utilizing the spheres of energy for political gain. During the experiment the little boy gets caught in the experiment and winds up being an unfortunate casualty. Out of his grief, the father decides to re-create a replica of his lost son in the form of a robot with powers and ability way beyond the expectations of himself and the whims of the politician. This is an incredible journey that you would not want to miss! Please see this!

I don't know anything about the original Astro Boy so my review can't compare and see if it is any worse or improved.

I did like the movie The animation was absolutely beautiful. I like the style in which it was done, almost reminds one of older animation movies but still of high quality.

The story is pretty interesting. It is a great introduction of the kid into the sci fi world. It has a bit of dystopia, robots, the wondering if robots can feel.

For an adult watching it with a kid it is also entertaining. The robots used as gladiators and the fight scenes were pretty fun.

It's a nice sci fi animation which is in fact a retelling of the Pinocchio story. A father who's a master craftsmen creates an artificial son for himself, and realizes it's not a perfect son though he was sure he made it perfect. This state of the arts son is given life by the "blue energy" the pure positive energy, and is going on journey of self discovery finding a group of outcast kids who's head is actually a circus manager of a sort with nice demeanor but shady morals. Eventually the newly named Astro will have to go into the heart/belly of a robotic behemoth in order to save the day.

Making sure I didn't write any real spoiler in this detailed description I believe the parallels are very clear. And I liked the original new take on the classic. I liked even more it's way of tackling the sensitive subject of father-son relations, of fathers ideal perception of their sons, an ideal no reality can match, not even a perfect reality.

As for the other aspects of movie making, it's a very nice movie, not free of mistakes, but very nicely told, well acted by all the cast, and real fun to watch.