Hi, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab...
Still getting mail about this one, and it looks like a good time was had by all. Here’s our first review:
Hey Moriarty,
Love the site, long-time reader, first time writer...
Anyway, thanks so much for holding the Steamboy screening; I had a mind-blowing time. First AICN screening and all… new to the USA… So, just thought that I should drop in my own two cents on the film, though it's my duty to inform you all that there are some spoilers regarding the first half of the film later on (I'll highlight 'em). For the most part, I'll do my part to try and keep things relatively clean.
Since there are so many reactions to Steamboy already up on the site, you're probably not going to post this anyway, but I just felt like prepping audiences for the film, since I walked in not as a moviegoer, having little knowledge about the film's plot or setting, but as an anime fan with a good, firm idea of what I expected from the film. And I have to admit, it took me a little while into the screening to really grasp what I was watching and admire it for what it was and not for what I had anticipated it to be.
So let me say a couple things to all the anime fans out there… In other words, here's my take on Otomo-san's Steamboy, microwave-safe and chemical-free.
DON'T go into the theater expecting the sense of discovery and wonder of Metropolis or an Akira, because, and I'll tell you now, you're more than likely going to find yourself disappointed with how straightforward Steamboy is in its narrative.
First and foremost, the cute moments of Metropolis that allow the audience some room to understand and empathize with the characters, and the scenes of witty banter that provided some much-needed levity and character depth in Akira are few and far between here. Not that the film takes itself too seriously; as an earlier reviewer mentioned, there is a lot of physical humor, and the elder Dr. Steam, Scarlett and Simon provide some memorable quips. Scarlett and Ray are allowed to share a couple cute moments; their interactions reminded me a bit of the Shinji-Asuka relationship in the earlier episodes of Neon Genesis Evangelion, though that's probably a horrible analogy.
Another thing to bear in mind is the film's setting- it takes place in 19th Century London- that is, real London- not the noir-inspired steam-punk underworld that provides the backdrop for shows like Steam Detectives. While I realize that this specific setting is necessary to defining the premise of the film, I couldn't help but miss the wondrous feeling that came with watching new worlds come to life onscreen in other fantasy/science-fiction anime films. *shrugs* This is a minor gripe, really, as the London setting exists partially to make the many mechanized weapons of war (and the interior of the Steam Tower) that much more menacing, and to set the events of the film firmly into the context of a real world that isn't prepared for them.
Lastly, DON'T go in expecting music that will have you hunting down the soundtrack on Ebay. That's right. No Ray Charles finale, nor even something as memorable as the haunting chorus theme from Akira. The 'hero music' that accompanies Steamboy is bombastic, and I guess it gets the job done, but at times it can seem manipulative. On the whole the score isn't a real drawing point of the film, which is disappointing, because Steamboy's heroic tone offered a great chance for a composer to go all out and turn the film's theme music into something really special.
Hmmm… All right, I realize that all of what I've written above might sound as if I disliked the film, but believe me, the worst thing I could do with this review is to discourage one from seeing and experiencing the anime tour-de-force that is Steamboy. Here's why:
DO expect to see some of the most awesome, if not THE most awesome mechanized action ever realized in the history of animation. And I say this with a straight face and no fingers crossed.
Watch this in the best possible theater you can find, sound-wise, because trust me, when you hear and feel the aftershocks of impacts that can only exist in your mind, you will know it was worth it. Anime fans, I kid you not- I haven't felt so excited, so jolted-out-of-my-seat while watching an animated film since my first viewing of The End of Evangelion. Steamboy has the slickness of the action scenes in Princess Mononoke and Ghost in the Shell, the terror of the whole middle third of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within and, at one point, the sense of wonder and astonishment that could only remind me of the flight of The Iron Giant. What's become even clearer to me (and this is quite an exciting thing) since the screening last night is that those films were all just precursors to whet our appetite for this.
The whole second half of Steamboy is just a non-stop barrage of satisfying action, and perhaps it was even too much of a good thing- I think a portion of the audience had mixed feelings at the end of the film simply because they weren't prepared for the sheer onslaught of action and intensity that builds up exponentially midway through the film and never lets up. I can probably see which scenes will be cut out of the dubbed version of the film, and I have to admit, I'm quite excited to see and compare the two. While I didn't feel that the film was slow at all, I agree it could use a little trimming down. (Then again, it is the Director's Cut)
I don't doubt that this is the most expensive anime film ever made; much of the power of the imagery comes from the fact that the computer- animated elements of the film melt in perfectly with the traditional hand-drawn cels, where such blends have been distracting before, especially in The Iron Giant and some scenes in Metropolis.
Despite some similar elements to it, I felt that the story was pretty fresh. As a movie about three generations of inventors whose fates were all tied to A) a tiny, desperately sought-after object with immeasurable power and B) a giant flying fortress, I couldn't help drawing comparisons to both Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings. I mean, imagine a movie about the guy who came up with the idea for the Death Star… And I'm not talking about the contractors that are fussed so much about in Clerks and Attack of the Clones. I mean the man who said "let's make something that can blow up planets and sell it." Now imagine that that guy was stupid enough not to realize that the thing he'd envisioned could be used to take over the world, and when his son takes over the production, he must turn to his gifted grandson to set his mistakes right. That's Steamboy in a nutshell. Err… okay, that little point was useless. Anyway, I loved that scientific angle, and especially enjoyed how the story unfolds. A great scene shows how Ray asks Robert Stevenson what science is really for before trusting him with the metal ball, as if to test him for an ideal that he can agree with.
Like so many good anime movies before it, Steamboy's story only really moves forward through Ray's actions. And boy, do we feel for this kid! He is pressed to make choices that he should never have had to, and he shoulders all that responsibility as if it was his God-given right. And if that pure-hearted determination doesn't make a good anime hero, then what does?
And then there's the film's themes. Fans of anime should already know and expect that in Steamboy, a coming-of-age hero story involving saving the world from power-hungry guys with beards, the old (and often wise) people spend much of their time going on and on about their philosophies in monologues; this is not a fault in character development as much as it is a misunderstood convention of anime. For those who are unfamiliar with anime or who are just looking for a good time in the theater, DO expect a philosophical story underneath all the action, and DO try and look past some of the dialogue that's lost in translation and understand the story that Otomo-san is trying to tell. I won't say much, but I will say that I've had my experience with the film, and for me, Steamboy is much more than just a parable on machines and war. I eagerly await a second viewing.
Last note: For those of you thinking of bringing kids: some of the violence here is brutal, though much of it is more implied than shown. There's blood and death, sure, but nothing I wouldn't feel bad about taking my nine year old kid brother to go and see. And nobody gets crushed into masses of blood and guts or tentacle-raped, so yeah… Decent stuff. Just be responsible and make sure to smack the young'un if he starts getting noisy and/or tosses things at your fellow movie geeks.
Once again, I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone at AICN for hosting the screening (and the War of the Worlds caps- I'm among the half of the people that traded their shirts in for caps *snicker*); we all had a great time.
If you use this, call me elvenblade.
Well, the caps were groovy, no question, but those shirts went like hotcakes. Hotcakes that you wear on your chest. Let’s see what LA’s coolest video store clerk has to say about the film:
Hello, Every once in a while a film comes out that completely and utterly stuns you into submission, exceeds all expectation, and obliterates all of the competition.
This is why I love Katsuhiro Otomo. His new film STEAMBOY does just that. This film...this film is just absolutely fucking ENORMOUS!! The attention to detail is so incredibly meticulous you can spend the entire duration of the film entranced by the smallest objects in the corners of the screen. The animation is simply breathtaking. This is the kind of film that could only exist in an animated world. Everything in this movie feels heavy. You can feel the energy of the machines and steam and engines. You can feel the weight of the boats and airships and buildings. Everything comes alive in this movie. The story may be complete fantasy, but the design and animation feel extremely realistic.
Otomo creates an astonishing sense of danger with each new action sequence. It’s the most engaging cinematic adventure I’ve seen in a while. Otomo pulls you into his universe and takes you on a journey of a lifetime. A young boy named Ray Steam gets caught up in a huge struggle to obtain a small steam ball that contains extraordinary power. His father and grandfather are inventors consumed by the power of science and technology and clash over the completion of their gargantuan Steam Tower. Ray risks his life to save his family from madness and stop the destruction of London. I loved every single character in this film. They bring heart and soul to the story with a perfect blend of drama and humor. Every 10-13 year old boy will worship Ray Steam. He is exactly what you wish you were as a child. Great cinematic hero. Scarlett O’Hara is a loveable bitch and Ray’s father and grandfather are exceptionally well developed.
Did I mention this movie is huge? It’s just fucking EPIC!! The steam tower is quite frankly, one of the most incredible images I’ve ever seen. Otomo delivers one enormous sequence after another. I LOVE Akira and the work he did in Memories and Neo Tokyo, but nothing in those films prepares you for how colossal Steamboy is. The last thirty minutes is the stuff of legend. Steamboy is a masterpiece of escapist art that every kind of film lover can enjoy.
Really, even if you’re not interested in animated films you’ll be impressed with what you see. And for anime freaks, get ready for what I’m sure you’ll hail as the best movie ever! Steamboy is EVERYTHING you could possibly want in an adventure film. A magnificent achievement. CAN I DROOL ANYMORE??!!!
Thanks for the screening, it was great fun. And yes, the EGYPTIAN THEATER is awesome!!
-Cbabbitt
Cbabbitt’s a good guy who did some reporting for us this past summer from Montreal’s FanTasia Film Festival, and who also interviewed Mamoru Oshii for us.
Tickets are still available for the Monday February 14th screening of CONSTATINE that we’re doing with The American Cinematheque at the Egyptian, so if you missed this one, come on down next week. I know it’s Valentine’s Day, but come on... it’s a horror film. What better excuse is there to squeeze your sweetie? And if you want great grub beforehand, Micelli’s is right there. We’re going to be joined by Francis Lawrence, the director of the film, for a Q&A after the movie. Should be a blast.
"Moriarty" out.
