Somehow able to avoid detection as it feasts on discarded metallic objects, it turns out it's in fact quite gentle if approached with innocent sincerity.
Not that it's been entirely unnoticed, unsubstantiated reports of its existence confound, enough to lead the F.B.I to investigate, and even move in with 'lil Hogarth.
Fortunately, a kind-hearted artist owns a bountiful scrapyard nearby (Harry Connick Jr. as _____ McCoppin), and agrees to feed the wayward colossus as they figure out a plan.
Life proceeds as routinely as ever considering the massive robot and the police presence, traditional homely bucolic beauty radiating tranquil peaceful life.
But Hogarth starts to play with a toy gun one day which the Iron Giant perceives as a threat, immediately responding with militaristic gusto since he's been designed to fight instinctively.
The artist notices that it's entirely defensive after cataclysmic disaster is thwarted, or that the Iron Giant only transforms into an imposing war machine if it senses imminent attack.
Unfortunately, around the same time the actual military learns of its existence.
And quickly sends in the troops.
And almost nukes ye olde Maine.
Aggressive and sensitive tactical trajectories bizarrely interact throughout, as the benefits of a defensive army are oddly lauded with childlike wonder.
It used to seem like we were moving towards a world without any armies whatsoever, but recent developments have highlighted the importance of cultivating strong defensive forces.
Most unfortunate considering memories composed of prevalent peaceful politics (banal though they may be), but the world's become somewhat less rational in recent years, and a defensive army therefore seems prudent.
Naturally, the defensive army shouldn't respond instinctually as does the Iron Giant, which seems like it would have been an effective deterrent, had it not been programmed to instinctually unload.
How a robot of such advanced construction is unable to tell the difference between toy and actual weapons remains a mystery, although the fact that it certainly can't effectively critiques proponents of robotic armies.
The Terminator 2 influence is strong, although the Iron Giant's only a threat when it detects potential danger, and doesn't have a mission to save someone from another Terminator, although he does save humanity from itself.
As a paranoid trigger happy solider shoots first and asks questions later.
What a strange children's film.
Wondrously tumultuous.
*Almost threw this one away.
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