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Astro Boy

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Stars: Freddie Highmore, Nicolas Cage, Samuel L. Jackson, Donald Sutherland, Charlize Theron, Bill Nighy

Director: David Bowers

Rated: PG

Showing: Neptune Theatre, 2:30/7pm

Runtime: 94 minutes

Animation/family/sci-fi

In the futuristic Metro City, brilliant scientist Dr. Tenma (Nicolas Cage) loses his beloved son and creates a robot with incredible powers in his image.

But the android, Astro Boy (Freddie Highmore), cannot live up to the grieving dad's expectations and runs away in search of acceptance.

He uses his powers to become a superhero and sets out to save the world after it is threatened by an alien race.

Based on the hit Japanese manga series by Osamu Tezuka, Astro Boy is directed by Flushed Away helmsman David Bowers.

Comparisons to Pinocchio are inevitable - the movie is basically a modern version with a robot instead of a wooden puppet.

The intricate detail of the colourful computer animation will wow viewers over, as will the talented vocal cast.

A-listers such as Nicolas Cage and Donald Sutherland bring the characters to life, while Freddie Highmore - best known for The Golden Compass, Spiderwick Chronicles and Charlie And The Chocolate Factory - cements his status as one of the best child actors around as Astro Boy.

Watch if you liked: The Incredibles, Pinocchio.

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