Steamboy

Christian Science Monitor David Sterritt

Visually stunning animation.

Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov

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.

The Hollywood Reporter Richard James Havis

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.

The New York Times Janet Maslin

The film turns into a preposterous but engrossing spectacle, fueled by a resource more enduring than steam or its successors: big ideas.

Village Voice J. Hoberman

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.)

The Onion (A.V. Club) Tasha Robinson

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.

LA Weekly Ella Taylor

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.

Los Angeles Times Kevin Crust

A stunning-to-look-at film marred by a less than searing pace and some narrative incoherence.

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Liam Lacey

The narrative here may be strictly nuts and bolts, but as an achievement in graphic design, Steamboy is first class.

San Francisco Chronicle G. Allen Johnson

A fine example of how anime uniquely contributes to world cinema.

Boston Globe Ty Burr

Boys of all ages, by contrast, will be mesmerized by the relentless, breathtakingly visualized action.

New York Post Lou Lumenick

Gorgeously detailed animated adventure.

Premiere Aaron Hillis

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.

Chicago Reader J.R. Jones

Visually commanding, conceptually beguiling, but dramatically inert.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Sean Axmaker

It's part Jules Verne arms-race nightmare, part James Bond gadget war and part boy's own adventure.

Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

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.

TV Guide Maitland McDonagh

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.

Empire Staff (Not credited)

Visually arresting, with an enjoyably wacky premise, but scuppered somewhat by its rusty, clunky storytelling.

Film Threat Greg Bellavia

Perhaps the key to understanding where Steamboy goes wrong is in understanding why Otomo's previous animated feature "Akira" was such a success.

Variety Leslie Felperin

Dry storytelling and boy's-toys mechanics will stop this from being the next "Spirited Away"-style crossover hit.

New York Daily News Jami Bernard

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.

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

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.

Chicago Tribune Robert K. Elder

Though Katsuhiro Otomo's animated Victorian-era adventure Steamboy stars British characters, it's a Japanese film through and through.

Dallas Observer Luke Y. Thompson

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.

Washington Post Michael O'Sullivan

It's just that, in this world of clanking, hissing machines, even the people seem like robots.

Washington Post Stephen Hunter

The movie never transcended its elaborate production work to achieve an independent reality.