The Bottom Line
Pros
- Truly incredible animation.
- Great dubs, both English and original Japanese.
- Steam tech!
Cons
- Story drags a bit at times.
Description
- Title: Steamboy
- Studio: Sunrise and Triumph Films
- Date: 2004 (movie), 2005 (UMD)
- Original Story: Katsuhiro Otomo
- Director: Katsuhiro Otomo
- Principal Actors: Anne Suzuki, Masane Tsukayama, Anna Paquin, Alfred Molina
- Rating: PG-13
Guide Review - Steamboy (UMD)
In 1866 Victorian London prepares for the Great Exhibition, which will showcase the latest commodities and technological advances for all to see. Meanwhile, in Manchester, young inventor Ray Steam receives a package from his grandfather that contains the "steamball," a revolutionary invention that will harness the power of steam far beyond anything anyone had thought possible. Along with the steamball are instructions to not, under any circumstances, give the device to anyone from the O'Hara Foundation. Almost immediately, two O'Hara thugs arrive, and the chase is on, with Ray racing away on one of his own inventions. Ray and the steamball end up in London, in the hands of the bad guys, and our hero must stop the money-hungry O'Hara foundation from demonstrating the weapons-powering capabilities of the steamball to (and on) the masses when the Great Exhibition opens.
Is It Any Good?
Don't expect another Akira in this movie. Steamboy is something completely different. It lacks much of Akira's philosophical dimension and also its creepy gore and violence. Instead, Steamboy is an intelligent -- but fun -- adventure tale with really cool retro-futuristic technology.
For more details on the story, visuals, and other aspects of the movie, read my Full Review.
