Kirby
Released by Grand Diamond Pictures.
Produced by Ruby-Spears in association with Nintendo Films.
Directed by Pixote (pronounced Pish-O) Hunt
Executive Producers: Avi Arad, David Kirschner and Rachel Stone
SELECTED VOICES
Makiko Ohmoto as Kirby
Charlie Adler as King Dedede
Bob Hoskins as Mario (post credits cameo)
Billy West as Luigi (post credits cameo)
Haley Joel Osment as Link (post credits cameo)
The plot line of this film loosely follows the storyline of the original
Kirby's Dream Land video game, which was released on the first Game Boy handheld console.
The Iron Giant II
Released by RKO Radio Pictures
Directed by Brad Bird
Produced by RKO Animation (formerly Murakami-Wolf-Swenson)
When the first
Iron Giant was released in 1999, director Brad Bird was convinced that only one film would be necessary to tell the whole story. But then again, RKO chairman Chuck Norris has a unique knack for convincing filmmakers otherwise.
The story for part 2 fast forwards about 20 years after the events of the original film. The titular robot (Vin Diesel) is rebuilt and stronger than last time. Meanwhile, Hogarth (Tobey Maguire) is now a young adult and has largely moved on without his old metallic friend. In fact, as an adult, Hogarth now sees his old buddy as a nuisance. Bird's desire for the original film to stand on is own is quite obvious in his artistic decision to let Hogarth tragically turn heel for part 2. Another example would be the use of Linkin Park's song In the End to accommodate the film's end credits.
Fans of the original film denounced Bird for subverting their expectations. In fact, they stuffed RKO's mailbox with angry letters calling for his ouster, but to no avail.