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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 [See Full Rating] for action violence.

Runtime: 2 hrs 6 mins

Genre: Foreign Films

Theatrical Release:02-12-2005

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]

Reviews for Steamboy

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1 - 20 (sorted by rotten rating; UK critics are listed first)
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Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Time Out
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Observer [UK] | comment Comment
12/06/05
Peter Bradshaw
Peter Bradshaw
Observer [UK]

It may be one of the most expensive anime features ever, but there isn't a wealth of entertainment on offer in Steamboy.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
12/06/05
Matthew Leyland
Matthew Leyland
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
04/01/06
Empire Magazine
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
04/02/05
Boston Phoenix
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N/R

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Full Review Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch | comment Comment
07/05/05
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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N/R

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Full Review Source: AV Club | comment Comment
09/26/05
AV Club
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | comment Comment
04/29/09
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed
N/R

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Full Review Source: Time Out New York | comment Comment
08/16/07
Nigel Floyd
Nigel Floyd
Time Out New York
N/R

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Full Review Source: TheFilmJournal.com (Ohio) | comment Comment
01/26/07
Saul Symonds
Saul Symonds
TheFilmJournal.com (Ohio)
N/R

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Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
10/18/08
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile

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

Exhausting ... While [Otomo's] return from the wilderness is certainly cause for celebration, it’s hard not to wish that he had spent a little more time tightening things up.

Full Review Source: The Stranger (Seattle, WA) | comment Comment
03/31/05
Andrew Wright
Andrew Wright
The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

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

The end credits play over a series of still drawings of Ray and the steamball's further adventures and EVERY SINGLE ONE of them looks more interesting than the movie.

Full Review Source: CHUD | comment Comment
03/18/05
Devin Faraci
Devin Faraci
CHUD

Offers stunning background art but characters that are drab...with apologies to Jude Law, just call this 'Private Pipsqueak and the World of Yesterday.'

Full Review Source: One Guy's Opinion | comment Comment
03/17/05
Frank Swietek
Frank Swietek
One Guy's Opinion

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

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

I would have preferred less moralizing and more character development.

Full Review Source: San Diego Metropolitan | comment Comment
04/02/05
Jean Lowerison
Jean Lowerison
San Diego Metropolitan

Flashy visuals can't overcome dull story and characters.

Full Review Source: IGN Movies | comment Comment
03/16/05
Jeff Otto
Jeff Otto
IGN Movies
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by rotten rating; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 >> >|
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Latest News for Steamboy

November 18, 2005: Ten Animated Movies to Compete for Oscar Consideration
ComingSoon.net shares a press release from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) regarding the Best Animated Feature hopefuls. Seems we have a solid ten movies... More...

March 07, 2005: Visually stunning . . . Opens in new window
More...

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