The Iron Giant: How One Movie Made Me Cry and Changed My Life

Have you ever watched a film that completely altered your perspective? For Jordan, that movie was The Iron Giant, Brad Bird's animated masterpiece. As a child, Jordan was so moved by the film, that he couldn't hold back the tears. Little did he know that this experience would spark a lifelong passion for animation and eventually lead him to work alongside Brad Bird himself. This is Jordan's story about how The Iron Giant affected him and realized the power of animated movies.

Jordan's First Encounter with The Iron Giant

"I cried uncontrollably as a child watching Brad Bird's masterpiece, The Iron Giant." These words encapsulate Jordan's initial experience with the film. It was around 2002, and he was about 12 years old when he first watched it on HBO. What struck him most was the intense emotional reaction he had. He remembers thinking, "Yo, this is absolutely crazy, why is my face wet?" He was so surprised because he didn't understand why he was crying.

Sharing the Experience with Family

The impact of The Iron Giant was so profound that Jordan immediately ran to share it with his younger brother. "You got to watch this bro, you have to watch this movie like this is the best movie I've ever seen in my life," he exclaimed. This moment highlights the importance of shared experiences, especially with siblings. A great movie can leave a lasting impression on you. It's even better when you can share those experiences with your family.

Why The Iron Giant Hit So Hard

So, what was it about The Iron Giant that evoked such a strong emotional response? Several elements converged to create a truly unforgettable experience.

Brad Bird's Genius

Brad Bird's direction is a key factor. Bird has a way of drawing the audience into the story. He makes you care about the characters. You find yourself rooting for the Iron Giant and his friendship with Hogarth. Bird's talent connects the audience to the characters.

The Giant's Humanity

Despite being a machine, the animation made the Iron Giant feel incredibly human. Jordan recalls, "Well that's kind of you know it made you made it feel like it was a real person even though I knew it wasn't a real person he was expressing himself as a real person so I can have an idea of who that person could be even though I know he's a fictional character." This is a testament to the power of animation to create believable characters.

Relatability

The themes explored in The Iron Giant are universally relatable. Friendship, sacrifice, and identity resonated deeply with Jordan as a child. These themes are timeless. They continue to resonate with audiences of all ages.

From Tears to Career: The Iron Giant's Influence

The Iron Giant did more than just make Jordan cry. It sparked an interest in animation. This interest would eventually become a career.

Working with Brad Bird

Jim vanderkeyl, the animation instructor that Jordan signed up for, for one of his classes, had the opportunity to work with Brad Bird on The Iron Giant. He started with smaller roles, animating incidental characters. But Bird recognized Jim’s  ability and ambition to learn. . He gave him more significant work. As Jim  recalls, "Brad liked my stuff and so he said uh well let's let's give Jim a chance and let's give him some more meaty work." Which he did and Jim’s career in animation took off, winning and Annie Award nomination for best Character Animation in 1999.

A Full-Circle Moment

Years later, Jordan had a remarkable realization. He was speaking with someone who had worked on The Iron Giant. "I never thought I would talk to actual animator that was working on that film," he said. It was a full-circle moment. Connecting with someone involved in creating such a meaningful film was awe-inspiring. The speaker made Jordan cry as a kid.

Animation and the Power of Storytelling

Animation is a powerful tool. It can bring stories to life in ways that other mediums cannot. It allows creators to explore complex themes. It also makes you connect with characters on a deeply emotional level.

The Importance of Timing and Spacing

To get started in animation you need to learn the basics: timing and spacing. These are fundamental principles. Mastering these elements is essential for creating believable and engaging animation. You can learn to master the art of animation. Explore the Cracking the Code of Timing and Spacing e-book for 60% off.

A Message for Brad Bird

Jordans account of how the Iron Giant moved him prompted Jim to say, "I would love for Brad to hear that...that was so heartfelt."Jordan  is thankful for creating a film that had such a profound impact on his life. The Iron Giant left a lasting impression on Jordan.

Conclusion

Jordan's story is a reminder of the transformative power of film. The Iron Giant is more than just a movie. It's an experience that shaped his life and career. It ignited a passion for animation and storytelling.

What movies have had a profound impact on your life? Share your experiences in the comments below! Explore other animation resources. Continue to support storytelling through art.