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Movies / On DVD / Steamboy
Steamboy

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Steamboy (2005)

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Reviews Counted:86

Fresh:50

Rotten:36

Average Rating:6/10

Consensus: The story isn't the greatest, but there's an abundance of sci-fi eye candy to compensate.

Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for action violence.

Runtime: 2 hrs 6 mins

Genre: Foreign Films

Theatrical Release:2004

Box Office: $287,034

Synopsis: Katsuhiro Otomo, the master Japanese anime director behind the international success AKIRA, scores again with STEAMBOY, the inventive story of a family of inventors from Manchester, England, that... Katsuhiro Otomo, the master Japanese anime director behind the international success AKIRA, scores again with STEAMBOY, the inventive story of a family of inventors from Manchester, England, that gets ripped apart by greed, pride, and power. Ray Steam (voice of Anne Suzuki) is a young boy following in the footsteps of his father, Eddy (Masane Tsukayama), and grandfather, Lloyd (Katsuo Nakamura), scientists dedicated to advancing technology through the use of steam. When Lloyd invents a steam ball that has unheard-of possibilities, everyone wants it--world leaders, wealthy industrialists, and even the government--but most of them want it for evil purposes. And so it is up to Ray to protect the fate of the earth while also choosing between his father and grandfather. The background paintings and 3-D CGI animation are gorgeous, creating a gray-and-white palette of gear-driven machines that melds perfectly with the story, which takes the main characters to a major science exhibition in Victorian-era London. In addition to the original subtitled Japanese version, there is an English-language edition featuring the voices of Anna Paquin, Alfred Molina, and Patrick Stewart. STEAMBOY is an animated gem both kids and adults can enjoy. [More]

Starring: Anne Suzuki, Manami Konishi, Katsuo Nakamura, Masane Tsukayama

Starring: Anne Suzuki, Manami Konishi, Katsuo Nakamura, Masane Tsukayama, Kiyoshi Kodama, Ikki Sawamura, Susuma Terajima, Satoru Saito, Anna Paquin, Alfred Molina, Patrick Stewart

Director: Katsuhiro Otomo

Director: Katsuhiro Otomo
Screenwriter: Katsuhiro Otomo, Sadayuki Murai
Producer: Shunji Komori, Hideyuki Tomioka
Composer: Steve Jablonsky
Studio: Columbia Tristar

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Jul 26, 2005

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Reviews for Steamboy

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1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z)
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No matter how big and impressive, all of this pales in comparison to the human soul, which this film simply does not have.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
04/08/05
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

In spite of...obvious and unfortunate flaws, if you’re going to see Steamboy do so on the big screen so as to be reminded of the marvels of hand-drawn animation

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Alternative | comment Comment
03/22/05
Jay Antani
Jay Antani
Los Angeles Alternative

A slow even pressure cooker -- very nicely done.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Report Card | comment Comment
03/09/05
Ross Anthony
Ross Anthony
Hollywood Report Card

In the movies, action doesn’t necessarily equal a reaction.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
07/29/05
Rory L. Aronsky
Rory L. Aronsky
Film Threat

The talky debate over scientific morality is simplistic to say the least, but there is a sneaky undercurrent of social satire and a retro glory to the animation...

Full Review Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer | comment Comment
03/31/05
Sean Axmaker
Sean Axmaker
Seattle Post-Intelligencer

When massive bursts of steam are frozen into giant flowers of jagged ice, Otomo gives us a literal Cold War, to remind us of the folly of the arms race.

Full Review Source: Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) | comment Comment
05/04/05
John Beifuss
John Beifuss
Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

A mostly entertaining visual treat and while better than a lot of other films out there, pales in comparison to what might have been.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
02/22/05
Greg Bellavia
Greg Bellavia
Film Threat

The weak story and bland hero are no match for the increasingly exciting visuals, while the score by Steve Jablonsky should be on exhibit in the Hall of Lead.

Full Review Source: New York Daily News | comment Comment
03/18/05
Jami Bernard
Jami Bernard
New York Daily News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Sometimes a rousing action movie, and always a visual delight.

Full Review Source: Denver Post | comment Comment
03/18/05
Michael Booth
Michael Booth
Denver Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Character development and story line, unfortunately, evaporated during the decade of this film's production.

Full Review Source: Des Moines Register | comment Comment
03/25/05
Jeffrey Bruner
Jeffrey Bruner
Des Moines Register

By being less talky, Steamboy could’ve achieved a surreal, dreamlike narrative flow instead of a lurching, unsteady one.

Full Review Source: FilmStew.com | comment Comment
03/21/05
Brett Buckalew
Brett Buckalew
FilmStew.com

The good news: Unlike Akira, I could actually tell what was going on most of the time. The bad news: After a while I just didn't care.

Full Review Source: Philadelphia Weekly | comment Comment
03/15/05
Sean Burns
Sean Burns
Philadelphia Weekly

Often immensely thrilling in the most elemental ways, even in a US-release cut that's 23 minutes shorter than the Japanese original.

Full Review Source: Boston Globe | comment Comment
03/18/05
Ty Burr
Ty Burr
Boston Globe
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Masculine brooding [fuels] Steamboy, with its monolithic, steam-spewing tower, powered by balls, constantly rumbling out of control.

Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews | comment Comment
03/28/05
Peter Canavese
Peter Canavese
Groucho Reviews

A lot of chore for a tiny bit of reward.

Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | comment Comment
03/31/05
Walter Chaw
Walter Chaw
Film Freak Central

With pipes groaning, gaskets warping, rivets failing. steam jetting and boilers overheating in every direction, it looks like a giant set of inverted bagpipes. One thing is for sure: If I were a plumber, Steamboy would be my favorite movie ever.

Full Review Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune | comment Comment
03/17/05
Colin Covert
Colin Covert
Minneapolis Star Tribune
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Never really pops its rivets except in several thrilling action sequences, but the sharp imagery and inventive technology make it worthwhile for animation fans.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
03/18/05
Kevin Crust
Kevin Crust
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

When the "steam castle" morphs into a Spielbergian mother ship, I knew that Otomo's overheated fantasy had, yes, run out of steam.

Full Review Source: Boulder Weekly | comment Comment
03/24/05
Thomas Delapa
Thomas Delapa
Boulder Weekly

The visionary backgrounds are far more interesting than the story or the characters.

Full Review Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News | comment Comment
03/18/05
Robert Denerstein
Robert Denerstein
Denver Rocky Mountain News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Otomo continues his reign as the George Lucas of Anime!

Full Review Source: ComingSoon.net | comment Comment
03/14/05
Edward Douglas
Edward Douglas
ComingSoon.net
 
 
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Latest News for Steamboy

November 18, 2005: Ten Animated Movies to Compete for Oscar Consideration
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