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Movies / On DVD / Steamboy
Steamboy

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Steamboy (2005)

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Reviews Counted:27

Fresh:16

Rotten:11

Average Rating:6.1/10

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 date)
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It's a sensationally designed piece of work.

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
08/19/05
J. Hoberman
J. Hoberman
Village Voice
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Its problem is not a lack of things to look at. There's plenty of them, and they're all cool. It's just that, in this world of clanking, hissing machines, even the people seem like robots.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
05/20/05
Michael O'Sullivan
Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post
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The movie never transcended its elaborate production work to achieve an independent reality. It's simply pictures of what never happened.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
05/20/05
Stephen Hunter
Stephen Hunter
Washington Post
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Steamboy, ultimately, shares deep-seated themes with the futuristic Akira. Both offer cautionary tales about scientific responsibility and the evils of war. And both look pretty cool, too.

Full Review Source: Philadelphia Inquirer | comment Comment
03/25/05
Steven Rea
Steven Rea
Philadelphia Inquirer
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Steamboy is breathtakingly detailed and ambitious beyond anything I have ever seen in the realm of animation. But the chase goes on much too long, and Ray and Scarlett are never still long enough to develop any inner resonance or romantic rapport.

Full Review Source: New York Observer | comment Comment
03/24/05
Andrew Sarris
Andrew Sarris
New York Observer
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Despite its wild dreams, it becomes just another rusty piece of animated machinery, going through the motions somewhat mechanically.

Full Review Source: Detroit News | comment Comment
03/24/05
Tom Long
Tom Long
Detroit News
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It's nifty to behold, but about the only drama in Steamboy lies in waiting for this colossal hovering machine-monster to blow a gasket.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment Comment
03/23/05
Owen Gleiberman
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly
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Like cinematic Pop Rocks: it’s eye candy filled with explosion after explosion after explosion.

Full Review Source: Ebert & Roeper | comment Comment
03/21/05
Richard Roeper
Richard Roeper
Ebert & Roeper
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Feels as needlessly over-engineered as the movie's own city-demolishing retro-futuristic hardware.

Full Review Source: Toronto Star | comment Comment
03/18/05
Geoff Pevere
Geoff Pevere
Toronto Star
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A fine example of how anime uniquely contributes to world cinema.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
03/18/05
G. Allen Johnson
G. Allen Johnson
San Francisco Chronicle
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The 'wow' factor in Steamboy's visual energy is powerful enough to enthrall everybody's inner 12-year-old.

Full Review Source: Newsday | comment Comment
03/18/05
Gene Seymour
Gene Seymour
Newsday
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Loaded with eye candy, though it lacks the sophisticated storytelling and character development of Japanese director Katushiro Otomo's classic Akira.

Full Review Source: New York Post | comment Comment
03/18/05
Lou Lumenick
Lou Lumenick
New York Post
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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
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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
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Its action couldn't have been much more thrilling if done entirely by computer or shot in costly live-action.

Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
03/18/05
Bruce Westbrook
Bruce Westbrook
Houston Chronicle
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It's a roller-coaster action film that thunders along with top-notch set pieces and studiously researched period settings.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
03/18/05
Richard James Havis
Richard James Havis
Hollywood Reporter
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This is just too little invention, too much hot air.

Full Review Source: Detroit Free Press | comment Comment
03/18/05
Terry Lawson
Terry Lawson
Detroit Free Press
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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
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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
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There may be possibilities here, but they're lost in the extraordinary boredom of a long third act devoted almost entirely to loud, pointless and repetitive action.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
03/18/05
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
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