SteamboyFor what purpose does science exist--or rather, technology? Steamboy is an animated science fiction disaster movie that asks this question, as it concerns an alarmingly quick advancement in technology and industry, all pertaining to the applications of steam as an energy source. Set in an alternate 19th century England, a young boy and amateur engineer named James Ray Steam is sent a mechanism by his grandfather, Lloyd Steam: a "steam ball", containing super-concentrated steam under high pressure. Functionally, it is a super battery; it's purpose? To transfer power to any number of powerful machines, ranging from tanks to flying cities. And everyone wants it.
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Steamboy wa directed by Katsuhiro Otomo (who co-wrote the screenplay and developed the story); Otomo may be best known for his landmark animated science fiction film, Akira, which came to define Japanese animation (or anime) for the world. Steamboy feels a lot like a companion piece to Akira, asking some of the same philosophical and political questions and dealing with similar themes, all with an apocalyptic level of devastation coming by the story's end. Much of Steamboy is wonderfully unpredictable, and moves with a feverish energy. The film is packed full with vivid set pieces, generally showcasing the destructive force of steam-based machinery pushed well beyond its limits. This begins with a prologue in which Lloyd and his son, Edward Steam (James' father), are creating the steam ball. Even in the heat of their experimental process, they disagree about how to proceed, and things start falling apart almost instantly. Both men are gifted scientists and engineers, but both men ultimately do not see eye to eye, specifically on how to approach this revolutionary new form of science. The scope of their disagreement forms the central conflict of Steamboy, with James caught in the middle of it all. Edward claims that "science" (again, he really means "technology") should serve mankind without reservation. But to achieve this, he has bartered his talents with a notorious arms manufacturer who will resort to virtually anything to reclaim their investment. Lloyd, on the other hand, espouses that science should be a slow, careful process--a ideology which Edward finds selfish and unsympathetic to the needs of the people. Ultimately, there is precious little that transpires in Steamboy which supports Edward's way of thinking, because of how much rampant destruction follows his pursuit of making the world a "better" place at breakneck speed. To wit, Edward has James kidnapped by his partners in order to reclaim the sought after steam ball--an act that doesn't exactly gel with his purported altruism.
As with Akira, there was a huge investment in the creation of Steamboy, including cutting edge animation. Unlike Akira, it is evident that Steamboy makes use of some computer-generated animation, something that was still getting its footing in 2004. And as is sometimes unfortunately the case, there are instances that stand out as jarring exceptions to the otherwise meticulously crafted animation of the rest of the film. Not to suggest that these are deal breakers from enjoying the animation, but that one should consider that this represents the time in which CG-infused animation was just breaking through into the mainstream. All of this aside, Steamboy is an exceedingly gorgeous animated film, and its altogether silky animation remains striking even today. Consider the complicated (almost overwhelmingly so) command chair in Steam Tower in which Edward sits, with all of its rotating lenses, and you'll see what I mean. The ideological argument in Steamboy may not be the freshest of conflicts, but how Otomo explores this is the real treat. James is caught up in a massive conspiracy involving both his father and grandfather, but also members of "The O'Hara Foundation", who comically include a rotten little girl named "Scarlett". (Yes, that's her real name.) Scarlett is obnoxious and even abusive toward her tiny doggie, so she doesn't engender much (if any) sympathy. And yet she is often present as James tries to resolve the complicated tension headed toward inevitable destruction between his father, grandfather, and another engineer named Robert Stephenson (a real engineer, known as the "Father of Railways"). Subsequently, Scarlett suddenly starts to shed her spoiled persona, although it takes virtually the whole movie for her to get there. Nevertheless, she does change, rather than remain a static caricature, which adds depth to Otomo's story and its setting. In another story like this, we would expect James to foster a relationship with the young girl staying with his mother instead; but after the first twenty minutes, she's never seen again. There are a fair share of events that appear to be mere coincidence at first, which as the story progresses, instead represent that James is involved in something on a global scale. Set in London in 1866, key landmarks make appearances in the story, from St. Paul's Cathedral to The Crystal Palace (since destroyed). These locations are not just excuses to cement the story in a particular time and place, but speak to London as being a key location during the Industrial Revolution, which was in full swing by this point in history. And while these aspects are mostly present for the enjoyment of an audience interested in history, the real entertainment to be found in Steamboy comes from the constant barrage of jaw-dropping explosions, technology run amok, and the grand scope of it all. In this, it makes for another triumphant notch on Otomo's belt.
Recommended for: Fans of a grandiose and thrilling animated disaster movie, which plays with themes about mankind's inherent self-destructiveness and its greed in order to propel the story forward. Steamboy may not have the originality and distinctiveness of Akira, but it is still an enjoyable romp with gorgeous animation, crammed full of action and excitement.
As with Akira, there was a huge investment in the creation of Steamboy, including cutting edge animation. Unlike Akira, it is evident that Steamboy makes use of some computer-generated animation, something that was still getting its footing in 2004. And as is sometimes unfortunately the case, there are instances that stand out as jarring exceptions to the otherwise meticulously crafted animation of the rest of the film. Not to suggest that these are deal breakers from enjoying the animation, but that one should consider that this represents the time in which CG-infused animation was just breaking through into the mainstream. All of this aside, Steamboy is an exceedingly gorgeous animated film, and its altogether silky animation remains striking even today. Consider the complicated (almost overwhelmingly so) command chair in Steam Tower in which Edward sits, with all of its rotating lenses, and you'll see what I mean. The ideological argument in Steamboy may not be the freshest of conflicts, but how Otomo explores this is the real treat. James is caught up in a massive conspiracy involving both his father and grandfather, but also members of "The O'Hara Foundation", who comically include a rotten little girl named "Scarlett". (Yes, that's her real name.) Scarlett is obnoxious and even abusive toward her tiny doggie, so she doesn't engender much (if any) sympathy. And yet she is often present as James tries to resolve the complicated tension headed toward inevitable destruction between his father, grandfather, and another engineer named Robert Stephenson (a real engineer, known as the "Father of Railways"). Subsequently, Scarlett suddenly starts to shed her spoiled persona, although it takes virtually the whole movie for her to get there. Nevertheless, she does change, rather than remain a static caricature, which adds depth to Otomo's story and its setting. In another story like this, we would expect James to foster a relationship with the young girl staying with his mother instead; but after the first twenty minutes, she's never seen again. There are a fair share of events that appear to be mere coincidence at first, which as the story progresses, instead represent that James is involved in something on a global scale. Set in London in 1866, key landmarks make appearances in the story, from St. Paul's Cathedral to The Crystal Palace (since destroyed). These locations are not just excuses to cement the story in a particular time and place, but speak to London as being a key location during the Industrial Revolution, which was in full swing by this point in history. And while these aspects are mostly present for the enjoyment of an audience interested in history, the real entertainment to be found in Steamboy comes from the constant barrage of jaw-dropping explosions, technology run amok, and the grand scope of it all. In this, it makes for another triumphant notch on Otomo's belt.
Recommended for: Fans of a grandiose and thrilling animated disaster movie, which plays with themes about mankind's inherent self-destructiveness and its greed in order to propel the story forward. Steamboy may not have the originality and distinctiveness of Akira, but it is still an enjoyable romp with gorgeous animation, crammed full of action and excitement.