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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

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for Steamboy

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41 - 60 (sorted by date)
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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

Storytelling and philosophy don't measure up, leaving only audio and visuals to entertain

Full Review Source: Movie Habit | comment Comment
03/23/05
Marty Mapes
Marty Mapes
Movie Habit

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
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

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

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
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

As ever, Otomo's attention to the most minute details of setting and character are beyond reproach.

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
03/20/05
Marc Savlov
Marc Savlov
Austin Chronicle

This refreshing and enjoyable alternate history anime film packs quite a lot of action and adventure in one film.

Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
03/18/05
Mark R. Leeper
Mark R. Leeper
rec.arts.movies.reviews

The sci-fi wonders ... are truly marvelous and go a long way toward making up for the film's erratic pacing.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
03/18/05
Maitland McDonagh
Maitland McDonagh
TV Guide's Movie Guide

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
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

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
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A profoundly silly exercise in adolescent excess.

Full Review Source: Orlando Sentinel | comment Comment
03/18/05
Roger Moore
Roger Moore
Orlando Sentinel

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
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

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

I gave up trying to make sense of any of this at around the halfway mark, but I never stopped marveling at the ever more baroque spectacle that Otomo's teams of hand- and computer-animators have lovingly, obsessively created.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Daily News | comment Comment
03/18/05
Bob Strauss
Bob Strauss
Los Angeles Daily News

There are moments when dialogue, action and the dramatic music by Steve Jablonsky interlock.

Full Review Source: Kansas City Star | comment Comment
03/18/05
Robert Folsom
Robert Folsom
Kansas City Star

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
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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
 
 
41 - 60 (sorted by date)
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