Go ‘Astro!’

The godfather of Japanese anime and cult hero of the 1960’s TV cartoon imported to the United States lands in theaters this Friday with Astro Boy. This computer-generated update showcases the titular android, brilliantly-designed by a genius scientist morning the loss of his real son, being rejected by his father-creator only to become a world-famous superhero. But Astro soon discovers that fighting off an evil alien menace is nothing compared to reconciling with his father. Freddie Highmore of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Finding Neverland fame voices Astro, with Nicolas Cage, Donald Sutherland, Kristen Bell, Samuel L. Jackson, and Charlize Theron lending vocal performances to this futuristic world. Rated PG.