MovieChat Forums > The Iron Giant (1999) Discussion > E.T. with a robot

E.T. with a robot

posted 8 years ago by doanegirl
10 replies | jump to latest

Did anyone else notice the similarities? The forest, the music, the kid, the school drawing, etc....

Well, the original book pre-dates 'E.T.' by a number of years and the influence might actually have been the other way around but I'm sure the IG filmmakers had seen the other movie.

[–] doanegirl 8 years ago

Well, yes. The Iron Man is older than E.T., but honestly, I'm not saying it's a rip off or anything. They are just very similar stories and the two movies have a lot in common. E.T., The Iron Giant with an Alien? The Iron Man by Ted Hughes has a space monster in it if I remember correctly. It's got quite a few differences from the adaptation. Still both amazing movies.

[–] dijomaja-382-516639 8 years ago

Agreed. I'm sure that the filmmakers were well aware of 'E.T.' and a number of other similar stories. Actually, there are a couple of situations and scenes that are a direct lift from 'The Day The Earth Stood Still' (the original; I never saw the re-make) and nods to a number of 50s science-fiction films.

As you point out, the screenwriters changed most of the original book and author Ted Hughes apparently liked the changes. In fact, except Hogarth and the Giant there's almost nothing from the original. I read the book to my kids but we all preferred this version of the story.

[–] RyanEvo9 8 years ago

E.T didn't kick the army's ass though.

By the beard of Zeus!

[–] octagonproplex 8 years ago

E.T. is wonderful wondrousness, but for me the higher principles integral to Bird's effort make it the more substantial piece of art.

Mind only what is merited.

[–] markladds-892-185830 8 years ago

I thought Hogarth and the Iron Giants relationship was similar to John Connor and the terminator in T2: Judgement Day

[–] doenormaaljoh 8 years ago

The movie-buildup-structure is like so many other movies but as a story is isnt comparible to any other movie that I have seen, be it adult movies or otherwise.

I rated it 9 as it does what it should do, keeps one tied to the screen while sparking the imagination and moves, and it does so brilliantly.

[–] rnmboon 7 years ago

In the setting and somewhat in the atmosphere probably. But there are also many significant differences. I am a big fan of E.T. and I don't look at it and The Iron Giant as being similar.

[–] 7 years ago

[deleted]

[–] DracTarashV 7 years ago

Perhaps it was influenced by E.T. to a degree, but it mostly reminds me of other Science Fiction movies/books. But sure, the similarities are there.

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