Review of Steamboy (2004) by Zachary N — 22 Jul 2007

There is not one frame of this film that is not vividly and expertly crafted or visually stunning, so it's a real shame when the story makes you zone out for a good two hours. Apart from the mind blowing animation, there simply isn't much here. Engaging characters or a provoking storyline would've been welcomed, but I would have even settled for some exciting action. What I received was a dull lesson about the "misuse" of technology and the abuse of power by "capitalist" pigs.

The film is never aware that it ironically glamorizes the very weapons it criticizes and that much like the animation, this is incredible talent is being misused with intolerable lazy writing. Still not sure? Wait for that dumb blonde character to repeatedly screech "Simon?!" over and over again. It's not worth it. Really. Go watch something by Satoshi Kon and get back to me.