Auditorium des diplômés de la SGWU (Théâtre Hall)
Singapore filmmaker Rich Ho has an idea, and that’s to create a franchise that is “Heavens” above all other giant robot films. In Japan, they’re known as mecha, and what I’m seeing in Heavens: The Boy And His Robot is a genuine love letter to the genre. After a very Transformers and Macross inspired introduction to explain how the Second Great War started, Kai (Jonathan See) becomes the focus of this tale. The boyish charm that this actor has sold the fact he’s a fish out of water. Or should I say he’s a small fry?
After his father died in a prior conflict, he’s anxious that his mother won’t come back either. She’s been called to duty, and even though his god parents raise him well, he still wishes mom to come home. Nothing is directly said if she’s dead or not, but I think she’s gone. Upon turning 18 years old, he wants to join the Mecha Corps with the goal of finding his parents. Instead of asking to join the science arm of this military group, he wants to be in the field.
Ever since he was a young child, he wanted to pilot a giant robot. Sadly, he’s not physically fit for duty, and so he lies to get in. This trope feels overused these days and not every protagonist needs to fib to get in. Here, I get why he’s not perfect. Sometimes brains are required over brawn to achieve victory, and his smarts are definitely required this time!
What makes this film work is because of the robot who is just as uncoordinated. It’s “custom-built” to suit the pilot, and when it has its own intelligence, what’s presented here is almost Iron Giant-ish. The scenes following concern the two bonding and learning each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Despite Kai winning no races, Little Dragon (the name he gave it) makes for a very encouraging cheerleader.
Thankfully, he’s not alone. Despite getting pushed around by his bunk-mates, they are a team! It’s funny to observe how overachiever Waye (See Jason), easygoing Ean (Nelson Xiao Qiang Lee), neurotic Ren (Gavan Leong), and the incomprehensible Rock (Desmond Yeo) help or hinder him. In some ways, this series does not differ from other works like Starship Troopers where the heroes have to face personal hurdles before they become soldiers. Sergeant Major (Kenny Woo Kah Weng) could be tougher, but when we’re dealing with a foreign film which doesn’t recognize American stereotypes in military films, just who they get is comically appropriate than tough as nails.
Heavens: The Boy and his Robot is a fairly entertaining film which deserves to be seen on a big screen, so the ‘bot fights look spectacular. Although the blending of CGI to live-action isn’t picture-perfect, I bought into the illusion with a grain of salt. What’s fashioned shows it’s possible for even an auteur filmmaker to put his stamp on every part of production. Not only did Ho write, produce, and direct, but also he wrote the music, designed the mechs himself and oversaw the digital special effects department. It makes me wonder if he ever took the time to sleep?
3 Stars out of 5
Heavens: The Boy And His Robot Movie Trailer
