Dean McCoppin Quotes in The Iron Giant (1999)

Hogarth Hughes: [talking very fast, on caffeine] So she moved me up a grade 'cause I wasn't fitting in, so now I'm even more not fitting in. I was getting good grades, you know, like all A's. So my mom says, "You need stimulation," and I go, "No, I'm stimulated enough right now."

Dean McCoppin: That's for sure.

Hogarth Hughes: So she says, "Uh-uh, You don't have a challenge, you need a challenge." So now I'm challenged, all right- I'm challenged to hold on to my lunch money because of all the big mooses who wanna pound me, 'cause they think I'm a shrimpy dork who thinks he's smarter than them! But I don't think I'm smarter, I just do the stupid homework! If everyone else JUST DID THE STUPID HOMEWORK, they could move up a grade and get pounded, too! Is there anymore coffee?

Dean McCoppin: Look, it's none of my business, but who cares what these creeps think of you? They don't make you what you are, you do. You are who you choose to be.

Dean McCoppin: Get back! I said get back! I mean it!

The Iron Giant: No. Stop. Wait.

Hogarth Hughes: It was an accident. He's our friend.

Dean McCoppin: He's a piece of hardware, Hogarth. Why did you think the army was here? He's a weapon, a big... big gun that walks.

The Iron Giant: I... I not gun.

Dean McCoppin: Yeah? Then what's that?

[Points at huge hole the Giant's ray left on a bus]

Dean McCoppin: You almost did that to Hogarth!

The Iron Giant: No!

[Runs away]

Hogarth Hughes: Wait!

[Runs after the Giant]

Dean McCoppin: Hogarth!

Hogarth Hughes: Come back!

Dean McCoppin: [sees the toy gun Hogarth left on the ground] It was being defensive. He reacted to the gun.

Hogarth Hughes: Hey, Dean! Watch this!

Dean McCoppin: All right, we're watching.

Hogarth Hughes: This one's for professionals only! Banzai!

[dives into lake, starts shivering]

Hogarth Hughes: Come on in! The water's... great.

Dean McCoppin: No, thanks.

Hogarth Hughes: You... weenie!

[to the Giant]

Hogarth Hughes: Come on in. It's really, really refreshing.

[the Giant walks away]

Hogarth Hughes: What? You too? You... big baby!

The Iron Giant: [the sound of the Giant running is heard; suddenly he jumps into the water] Banzai!

Earl Stutz: I'm telling the truth, dang it! It came from outer space. I saw it! And it was headed toward land. I called the government in Washington. Maybe it was a sputnik, or... or an invader from Mars. That's what it is, an invader from Mars! It was a spaceship of some kind. An unidentified flying object...

Man: Unidentified? Knowing you, Earl, I'd say it was either whiskey or beer.

[others laugh]

Dean McCoppin: Hey! I saw it too.

Man: I rest my case.

[others laugh]

Hogarth Hughes: I believe you. What if it is Sputnik, or a flying saucer from Mars? I bet we could find it.

Dean McCoppin: Sorry, kid. I didn't really see anything. But if we don't stick up for the kooks, who will?

Dean McCoppin: Oh, hey, I know you. Squirrel boy.

Hogarth Hughes: Uh, Hogarth.

Dean McCoppin: By night known as Hogarth.

Dean McCoppin: I'm gonna have coffee. What do you want, some milk, or... what? Milk?

Hogarth Hughes: Coffee's fine.

[Dean looks at Hogarth skeptically]

Hogarth Hughes: Yeah, I drink it. I'm hip.

Dean McCoppin: I dunno. This is espresso, you know? It's like Coffee-zilla.

Hogarth Hughes: I said I'm hip.

[a huge wave has pushed Dean into the middle of a nearby road]

Truck Driver: Hey!

Dean McCoppin: Yeah?

Truck Driver: You're right in the middle of the road!

Dean McCoppin: YEAH?

Truck Driver: All right.

[drives off]

Dean McCoppin: I think that's enough fun for one day.

[the Iron Giant is eating one of Dean's sculptures]

Dean McCoppin: There are two kinds of metal in this yard: scrap and art. If you gotta eat one of them, eat the scrap. What you currently have - IN YOUR MOUTH! - is ART.

Dean McCoppin: You came here just in time. This rich cat, some industrialist wanted him for the lobby of his company. Whipped out his checkbook right on the spot. I said, "You get him for the rest of your life, but, what, I have to give him up the minute I give birth? Give me time to cut the umbilical, man."

Hogarth Hughes: Hey, I thought you were in trouble. I had this weird guy following me around, it took me hours to shake him, I kill myself getting out here, and you have him doing... arts and crafts.

Dean McCoppin: You have a problem with arts and crafts, little man?

Hogarth Hughes: He's a giant robot. It's a little undignified.

Dean McCoppin: It is? Well then, smart guy, what would you have him do?

Dean McCoppin: Sorry about the crowbar, kid. You'd be surprised how many people want to steal scrap. But, man, once I make it into art, I can't give it away. I mean, what am I? A junkman who makes art or an artist who sells junk? You tell me.

Dean McCoppin: Don't shoot! There's a kid in his hand! Kent, he only acts defensively. If you don't shoot, he's harmless. You gotta tell the general.

Kent Mansley: This is your fault, beatnik. If you haven't interfered...

Dean McCoppin: Will you just listen? Tell the general to stop. He's got the kid with him.

Kent Mansley: I'll take care of it.

[Dean leaves; Kent goes over to General Rogard]

Kent Mansley: He said the monster has killed a kid. Sir, we must stop it at all costs.

General Rogard: [On walkie-talkie] Go to Code Red! Repeat, Code Red!

Dean McCoppin: Found your pet.

Hogarth Hughes: Where?

Dean McCoppin: It's up my leg, man. Squirrel's in my pants, Hogarth, and it's climbing its way out of here.

Hogarth Hughes: Don't wig out.

Dean McCoppin: Okay, it's heading north now. I'm sorry, kid.

[to the people in the restaurant]

Dean McCoppin: Excuse me! I'd like to apologize to everyone in advance for this.

[zips down his fly to let the squirrel out, which cause a loud commotion]

Dean McCoppin: Check, please.

Dean McCoppin: Thanks for the scrap, Floyd. I'm sorry I can't pay you more, but it's got... it's got this large "bite" out of it.

Floyd Turbeaux: That's why I'm selling it. It's got a large bite out of it.

Dean McCoppin: Yeah, right. What could have done this?

Earl Stutz: I told you what.

Dean McCoppin: Oh, yeah. Strange invaders.

Earl Stutz: Thanks for believin' me. I really did call the government. They're sending someone over to take care of the whole thing.

Dean McCoppin: Jeez, Earl, you really are crazy. I mean, who in the hell would the government send?

Dean McCoppin: You'll never catch up with him on foot, kid.