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Steamboy
Metascore
66 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 26
  3. Negative: 1 out of 26
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  1. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: David Sterritt
    100
    Visually stunning animation.
  2. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marc Savlov
    89
    If Victorian Manchester had been remotely like this, H.G. Wells never would have bothered to pen "The Time Machine" – he'd have just stepped outside and into the fray.
  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Richard James Havis
    80
    It's a roller-coaster action film that thunders along with top-notch set pieces and studiously researched period settings. The only letdown is that the focus on action drowns out any character development.
  4. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ella Taylor
    80
    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.
  5. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Tasha Robinson
    80
    Steamboy adds a touch of innocent wonder to the formula through Ray's eyes, resulting in Otomo's most human film to date, but humanity rarely seems to be among Otomo's priorities. His films seem far more concerned with the spectacle he manages like no one else in animation.
  6. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: J. Hoberman
    80
    Steamboy doesn't have the deep melancholia or the visionary élan of last year's Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence. Consistent in its graphic invention from first to last, however, it's a sensationally designed piece of work. (The retro stylistics are comparable to Brazil, David Lynch's Dune, and The Iron Giant.)
  7. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kevin Crust
    80
    A stunning-to-look-at film marred by a less than searing pace and some narrative incoherence.
  8. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Janet Maslin
    80
    The film turns into a preposterous but engrossing spectacle, fueled by a resource more enduring than steam or its successors: big ideas.
  9. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Lou Lumenick
    75
    Gorgeously detailed animated adventure.
  10. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: G. Allen Johnson
    75
    A fine example of how anime uniquely contributes to world cinema.
  11. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Ty Burr
    75
    Boys of all ages, by contrast, will be mesmerized by the relentless, breathtakingly visualized action.
  12. Premiere
    Reviewed by: Aaron Hillis
    75
    Though Steamboy could have been smarter and more dramatically engineered, this razzle-dazzle ride won't disappoint if you just need to blow off a little you-know-what.
  13. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
    Reviewed by: Liam Lacey
    75
    The narrative here may be strictly nuts and bolts, but as an achievement in graphic design, Steamboy is first class.
  14. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: J.R. Jones
    70
    Visually commanding, conceptually beguiling, but dramatically inert.
  15. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Owen Gleiberman
    67
    It's nifty to behold, but about the only drama in Steamboy lies in waiting for this colossal hovering machine-monster to blow a gasket.
  16. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: Sean Axmaker
    67
    It's part Jules Verne arms-race nightmare, part James Bond gadget war and part boy's own adventure.
  17. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Maitland McDonagh
    60
    The sci-fi wonders, including an army of shuddering robo-soldiers and one-man, steam-powered bombers with delicate wood-and-linen wings, are truly marvelous and go a long way toward making up for the film's erratic pacing.
  18. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Greg Bellavia
    60
    Perhaps the key to understanding where Steamboy goes wrong is in understanding why Otomo's previous animated feature "Akira" was such a success.
  19. Empire
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not credited)
    60
    Visually arresting, with an enjoyably wacky premise, but scuppered somewhat by its rusty, clunky storytelling.
  20. Variety
    Reviewed by: Leslie Felperin
    60
    Dry storytelling and boy's-toys mechanics will stop this from being the next "Spirited Away"-style crossover hit.
  21. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    50
    There may be possibilities here, but they're lost in the extraordinary boredom of a long third act devoted almost entirely to loud, pointless and repetitive action.
  22. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Robert K. Elder
    50
    Though Katsuhiro Otomo's animated Victorian-era adventure Steamboy stars British characters, it's a Japanese film through and through.
  23. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Jami Bernard
    50
    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.
  24. Dallas Observer
    Reviewed by: Luke Y. Thompson
    50
    Much of Steamboy is actually reminiscent of "Wild Wild West," with a giant moving tower substituting for the giant spider, and the personalities of Will Smith and Kevin Kline being replaced by . . . no personality at all, really.
  25. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Michael O'Sullivan
    50
    It's just that, in this world of clanking, hissing machines, even the people seem like robots.
  26. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Stephen Hunter
    30
    The movie never transcended its elaborate production work to achieve an independent reality.
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. RClemo
    10
    Kind of like Laputa: Castle in the Sky.
  2. PiedroAillard
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. teamboy is clearly a prequel to Laputa: Castle in the Sky. In Laputa, we see a flashback to ancient times when the flying castles dominated the skies. Steamboy tells the story of how the first flying castle was built, perhaps thousands of years before the events in Laputa take place. The level of technology in the world of Laputa has simply reverted back to that of Steamboy's world.… Full Review »
  3. GerrickC.
    9
    Easily one of the best anime movies ever. If you liked Akira you will like this movie.
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