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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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81 - 95 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

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

The movie's true genius lies in the exquisite animation, a blend of hand-drawn and state-of- the-art digital technology that suggests an old world being bullied into a new one.

Full Review Source: L.A. Weekly | comment Comment
03/17/05
Ella Taylor
Ella Taylor
L.A. Weekly

The visuals are nothing short of stunning.

Full Review Source: IGN Movies | comment Comment
03/17/05
KJB
KJB
IGN Movies

As per usual in animated films from Japan, the backdrops are triumphs of imagination and architecture, but, as is not always the case, Steamboy has a dandy story.

Full Review Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press | comment Comment
03/17/05
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
St. Paul Pioneer Press

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

Though visually stunning, suffered from some jarring edits, bizarre character reversals and general lack of narrative cohesiveness.

Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
03/17/05
Robert K. Elder
Robert K. Elder
Chicago Tribune

By the 100th beautifully crafted plume of smoke and explosion of twisted metal, this gorgeous film has lost more than a little steam.

Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment Comment
03/17/05
Nick Schager
Nick Schager
Slant Magazine

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

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

Despite its investment (it is the most expensive animé ever produced) and tried production (which began in 1995), Steamboy is an uncommonly disappointing effort.

Full Review Source: Not Coming to a Theater Near You | comment Comment
03/15/05
Rumsey Taylor
Rumsey Taylor
Not Coming to a Theater Near You

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

Has as many explosions as a Jerry Bruckheimer production. ... It's too long. Seventy-five minutes would have been plenty.

Full Review Source: Internet Reviews | comment Comment
03/11/05
Steve Rhodes
Steve Rhodes
Internet Reviews

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

Younger viewers may start squirming with boredom during the heavier debates, but there's always another cool piston-powered machine on the way.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
03/07/05
Leslie Felperin
Leslie Felperin
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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
 
 
81 - 95 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5
all

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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