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Title: Steamboy: Director's Cut
UK Distributor:
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
BBFC Certificate: PG
Suggested Retail Price (SRP): £15.99
Running Time: 121 minutes
Audio Options: English 5.1 & DTS,
Japanese 5.1
Subtitles: English
Reviewer: Shay Marx (guest)
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The most expensive Japanese animation so far from the man who
introduced the “geeks” to the world of Akira.
Steamboy is the accumulation of a dream for the director Katsuhiro Ôtomo and
those who have spent many years working with him. Originally penned in
1995 but unable to complete due to the level of technology at the time it’s more
than ironic that Steamboy is story of advancing science and technology in
a world where people have no idea how to appreciate it.
Taking place in 1866, Steamboy shows England (via Manchester and London)
in a light that has been reflected since British animations such as Watership
Down. The story centres on the Steam Family and the discovery of the
Steam ball an invention that can resist extreme amounts of pressure allowing for
the out put and control of more power during the steam age. The first half
of the film continuously adds new characters with their own agenda that
encourage the audience to question who the goodie and who are the baddies. More
appropriately who is right and who is wrong, while each side attempts to secure
possession of the steam ball. The second half is one gigantic action scene which
whilst commencing is full of political and topical speeches that once again
encourage you, the audience to make a decision to whether you stand with
Imperialism, Capitalism or neither. As deep as this may sound the film if
full of humour. From nice little touches such as a Rovers Return Public House
outside of the factory in which Ray (the youngest Steam) works, to a steam
powered treadmill for the pocket dog that belongs to the films “mini” Paris
Hilton, an American by the name of Scarlet O’Hara. From the numerous “not then”
inventions such as "Zeppeliners" to the never dying optimism from the salesman
Simon, who while the walls are literally falling down around him continues to
try and sell weapons to foreign investors.
Technically Steamboy is astounding. The art of film making is to create
images and bring them to life without revealing creators or their tools.
If you did not know that it was impossible to create Steamboy with out
CGI you wouldn’t know it had been used. Unlike Beauty and the Beast or Ghost in
the Shell 2, Steamboy hides its digital imagery but throws images through
the screen with angles that could not possibly created with just cell animation.
The music ranges from regal and royal to war and violence, very appropriate.
Steamboy looks sounds and feels English and with an excellent English dub
where lines have been added to both fill in the gaps in speech and to add more
of a British tongue.
There have been many comments of how disappointing Steamboy is compared
to Akira. Claims that the films are totally different and that aimed at
different demographics. These claims are false. Both films are pro-youth,
anti-government, anti-authority and question the capitalist way of the world.
The difference is within the settings. Akira is Neo-Tokyo, while Steamboy
is Victorian England. There is a difference between the expectations of young
adults during the 19th century and those of a post apocalyptic Japan. Ôtomo has
assigned very similar tasks to both groups and merely showed the same result.
Yet for some reason many vocal members of the audience for both films can not
see the similarities. Maybe that’s due to the very English feel that
Steamboy has. The dialogue would have Shakespeare rejoicing and mad
scientists reciting.
Steamboy a film that was destined to be shrouded in controversy due to
its message and its impact on the technology of its animation is unfortunately
only recognised due to its lack of blood. Personally I perceive Steamboy
as Katsuhiro Ôtomo’ inspired masterpiece and thoroughly recommend.
Extras:
Steamboy is available in the UK as either a single disc
theatrical version or a 2 disc Directors cut. The Directors Cut is 25 minutes
longer and contains both the English and Japanese Dub. It does not include the
theatrical version of the film. The second disc contains a lengthy (85
minutes) making of documentary that surprisingly changes from Japanese to
English three quarters of the way through. The making of feature fits in
very nicely as set for someone who may have both Akira and Memories.
The DC comes in a hard back box with discs contained in the regular special
edition style cardboard DVD case and alternative and glorious imagery compared
to the somewhat drab appearance of the single disc version. The DC also includes
an envelope containing collectable and promo postcards, a 164 page WIP scrapbook
and an “Adventures of Steamboy” manga with separate English translation sheet.
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