Steamboy (2004)
A Review of the English Theatrical release.
Animation Production: Sunrise
Director: Katsuhiro Otomo
Running Time: 106 Minutes
By Trevor Monaghan

Introduction

Ray is a young inventor living in the U.K. in the middle of the 19th century. Shortly before the first ever World Expo, a marvelous invention called the "Steam Ball", behind which a menacing power is hidden, arrives at his door from his grandfather Lloyd in the U.S. Meanwhile the nefarious Ohara Foundation has sent men to acquire the Steam Ball so that they can use its power towards their own illicit ends.

Story

The tale of Steamboy is really that of a single Family. Three generations of Steam men, Lloyd Steam as the elder Grandfather and wise and arrogant scientist, Eddie Steam, the middle aged slightly arrogant and self proclaimed visionary father, and Ray Steam, the young and brilliant boy who follows in his family footsteps by inventing new ways to utilize existing technologies while his male role-models travel the world abroad designing new technologies.

Of Course any good movie wouldn’t be complete without a central point of conflict. This comes in the form of the Steamball, a small black sphere which apparently contains limitless amounts of condensed high pressure steam. One of three in existence it is a new source of near limitless energy for a late 19th century world. However each of the Senior men of the Steam Family have different ideas of how to utilize this new invention. While the Elder Lloyd feels the Steamballs should be used to increase humanities quality of Life. Edward feels the purpose of the ball is that of strength and profit.

All this lands in young Rays lap as the two men both try to desperately to encourage the lad to see their sides and convince him to help them. Entering the Scene also is the Young debutant Scarlet. A Rich little brat who feels that the world is at her beck and call as she is the daughter and Heiress to the Ohara Foundations founder. The Ohara Foundation is also Supporting Edward Steam in the hopes of using the ball the produce new revolutionary military weapons that are like juggernaut to any weapons possessed by modern militaries.

Culminating in a grand and epic battle between the forces of Britain and the Ohara Foundation all centered on the Giant mobile Fortress/Amusement Park “Steam Castle” Steamboy offers a wonderful, intellectual and visually stunning thrill ride that stands out among one of the best Anime Films in recent Memory.

Review

Inspired by the works of Akira creator Katsuhiro Otomo, Steamboy is the single most expensive anime ever conceived or much less created. Featuring and English Dub cast of: Patrick Steward (Masterminds) As Lloyd Steam, Alfred Molina (Maverick) As Edward Steam, and Anna Paquin (Amistad) as Roy Steam the English language version excels at conveying the story by setting the Characters in their proper English settings and providing voices and dialogue that fits the setting and period.

The film itself may be a bit on the dry side storywise towards the end (Seeing as how once the Steam Castle engages the film seems more about destroying London then resolving the issues of the Steam Family) but the plot as a whole is brilliant and free of the stereo-typical story telling that has plagued so many anime’s recently. Earning a PG-13 rating merely on an immensely high “Implied” Body count.

Seeing this film in the theatre and having other grand works such as Metropolis and Spirited Away to compare it with the experience was well worth the time and effort spent to see it. I encourage all to pick up the DVD when it is released later this year.

Final Thoughts

While Akira has never been my favorite anime of all time, I do have a deep and profound respect for Mamuro Oshii and his work. The vastly differing characters and the 19th century English setting also do wonders for the film's credence as it is a movie that no longer shows off L.A. or Tokyo as the site of all the world's great moments and the Ending is JUST ambiguous enough for a solid ending with hope for the characters futures. All in all a Terrific film.

Trevor Monaghan