▪	RELEASED BY:		SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT
		▪	ASPECT RATIO:		4:3 FULL SCREEN
		▪	AUDIO:		ENGLISH / PORTUGUESE / SPANISH  DD 2.0
		▪	RUNNING TIME:		202 MIN
		▪	RATING:		NR
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		09/15/2009
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		10/12/2009
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		SCOTT CAMPBELL

This anime, "Astro Boy" (two words), is of course the 21st century remake of the popular 80's anime "Astroboy" (one word). "Astro Boy" is a pretty good modernization of the Astroboy we know and love from our early morning TV watching sessions as kids. It is set in the future, just like in the original, but has a much more sleek, futuristic feel to it now that our views as a society of what the future might be like has changed dramatically since the 80’s. The animation is much improved over the classic (depending on how you look at it of course, because this version will not have the same nostalgic factor that the original has for anyone who watched it). Having good memories of the Astroboy series that aired in the 80's, I was intrigued to hear about a remake. After watching it I’d say it’s fair to say the new crew and cast has done a very good job at modernizing this classic anime with some fresh ideas and a very nice new look. There are many changes in the storyline and the character’s names, but the basic idea still rings true and should be very interesting to both new and old fans of Astro Boy alike. One factor that is still very much the same and alive in this new version is the music and the sound effects in the show. The music is much like what I remember the 80’s show being like, and boosts the nostalgic factor for sure. But whether something about this new version is similar - or different – it is certainly entertaining, and has a lot of entertainment value that goes beyond just being nostalgic for old fans of the early original. This is a 50 episode anime spanning five DVDs, with over 1000 minutes of anime. New fans, or old fan, there’s something here for you.

In volume two we get another ten episodes, including Astro’s battles with evil robot creators Skunk and Shadow and even more dangerous robots like Jumbo, Pluto and Acheron. Astro investigates a poisoned lake, teams up with the Blue Knight to save robots stranded on an orbiting power station, and makes an expedition to the center of the earth. The storyline is full of imagination and adventure, and should prove entertaining to a wide age group for the most part. Many of the themes of the story are quite similar to the original, but this is still a brand new story with a lot of new life in it, so in no way is it the same old thing with no new innovations for plot points.

The continuing story in volume two has kept my interest, and it’s likely to do the same for other anime fans out there if they sit down and give this one a watch as well. Astro Boy was always a great anime concept, and this new revamp just goes to show how much you can improve a classic with new technology and ideas. Here’s hoping the next three volumes are just as good!

EXTRAS:
The disc extras include Portuguese and Spanish language tracks, and the “Remaking of Astro Boy” featurette.

IN SUMMARY:
Astro Boy is a great remake of an old classic. New fans and old fans alike will find something to enjoy about Astro Boy and his adventures. Much improved animation over the classic.