Tobor the Great Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.0
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.0

Tobor the Great Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf September 2, 2017

Atomic Age cinema offers one for the kiddies with 1954’s “Tobor the Great.” It’s a giant robot picture, but instead of inducing paranoia and posing a threat, the titular creation is more of a pal to all, especially to a special boy who needs a mechanical buddy. Dropping an intimidation factor, “Tobor the Great” is mischief in a minor key, gradually softening period fears of metal destruction to play a lukewarm spy game with mediocre characters and plenty of padding.

Nuclear fears open “Tobor the Great,” but they’re soon replaced with space travel ambition, offering a plot that finds Tobor, a robot, equipped with emotional capabilities to best serve his mission to explore the galaxy. Bad guys intervene, but more important to the story is the presence of a bright young boy who takes a special liking to Tobor, soon caught up in evil schemes to lure the metal beast to the enemy. There should be plenty for “Tobor the Great” to do, yet the production can’t even fill 77 minutes of screen time, taking the scenic route when it comes to conflict, which doesn’t even add up to much in the end, outside of a few fights and near-misses.

Tobor the Great Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.67:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Tobor the Great" delivers a bright, relatively clear view of the robot shenanigans. Some softness remains, but detail is valuable for Tobor particulars, getting a close look at the makings of the metal giant, while his human co-stars offer more traditional textures on clothing and close-ups. Sets also enjoy a more defined view. Delineation is agreeable, and whites remain secure. Grain is heavier but still filmic. Source is in decent shape, with some mild scratches and speckling.

Tobor the Great Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix displays its age with thinner, less pronounced listening event, and one with mild fluctuations in volume, most noticeably in the last reel, which gets quieter. Dialogue exchanges are acceptable, delivering a basic read of dramatic intent and robot interactions. Scoring doesn't carry power but supports as intended, handling the change of moods with adequate instrumentation. Sound effects are blunt.

Tobor the Great Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian Richard Harland Smith.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included.

Tobor the Great Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Tobor the Great" is dull, but it's not a complete waste of time, showcasing an appealing robot design from Robert Kinoshita, who would go on to create Robby the Robot for "Forbidden Planet" and Robot from "Lost in Space." Most of the fun factor in the movie is watching Tobor lurch around and interact with co-stars, and perhaps that's enough when dealing with a picture that's generally happy with small dramatic goals.