DID IT SUCK? | Steamboy (2004) | Film Review

[@HarrysMovingMedia]

Don't worry! I have not abandoned Doctor Who! The mega review of Silence in the Library / Forest of the Dead will be out on the 15th of June!

[@QuokkaCore]

That 2 parter is some of Moffat’s best work, and River Song’s best story.

[@greggthegrimreaper7495]

Russian America refers to Alaska as Russia colonized Alaska in real life!! The reason Alaska is now part of the US and not Canada is because it was sold to the Americans by the Russians!

[@jwd4049]

Thanks Harry watching your reviews has really helped me over the past few years!

[@annedrieck7316]

@@QuokkaCore alonsi!

[@AlacrityTW]

There is no main antagonist just like there is no main antagonist in real life. Everyone has enemies but whoever is the "bad guy" is just a matter of perspective. The film focuses on themes of clashing ideology and deals with complex subject matter like war profiteering which can't be simply reduced to an overarching villain without compromising the message it's trying to deliver.

[@robwaters8848]

Concisely put 👍

[@chrisw451]

You just sold me on seeing it. Very similar in theme to the often hated The Last Jedi, which I loved.

[@yafarion817]

Maybe I’m just blinded by nostalgia but I honestly love the movie, the plot inconsistencies didn’t in my opinion hinder the actually movie and it’s beautifully drawn and animated.

[@carlosluismendez7392]

yeah is a masive production. The CGI was better done than stuff you see today . Don't know why he said something about it and the steam was actually animated by hand, poor animators.

[@ZETH_27]

Watched it literally today, it's not nostalgia. It's a good movie, however, the visuals definitely give more of the credit than the story, and sadly some are convinced that must be a bad thing.

[@fds7476]

To be fair, I don't remember Akira having a terrific plot either. Honestly, Steam Boy's visuals really carried the movie well enough for me.

[@aidan6390]

Tbf akira also cuts how like they whole middle of the manga

[@HorrorChick1498]

Steamboy is my favorite anime movie My uncle brought this film for me back in 2004 for my 6 birthday My uncle in a way introduced me to the world of anime, so Steamboy will always have a special place in my heart

[@collin8909]

I understand this sentiment! Princess Mononoke was the first Anime I ever saw, followed by Akira (I still have very distinct memories of even the act of selecting and checking them out from the library), those movies will always hold a certain emotional resonance for me... I saw Steamboy years later and while I didn't feel it was on the same level altogether, the animation was (and frankly still is) amazing... I feel like 5/10 is a bit harsh for this movie!

[@HorrorChick1498]

@@collin8909 yess

[@soarinlightponysnow96]

Same here too

[@marionforge2769]

Same

[@charliemansfield6409]

Funny enough my uncle bought this for me when I was young too

[@caridadchang7895]

I remember liking the animation as a kid as well as Scarlett's outfits, but the story never made sense to me and it appears that it didn't make sense to others either

[@mohammadaminelahimoghadam3312]

The story made perfect sense... but obviously idiots like u wouldn't understand it

[@gergoszabo4914]

Alaska is "Russian America" , because it was the Russians' American colony until 1867, when the U.S. bought it from the Russian Empire. So during the majority of the movie, it was already a part of the United States, but during the intro sequence it wasn't bought up yet.

[@Roboshi2007]

The Ice is a real thing, When any gas is allowed to expand rapidly from a condensed state it's temperature drops. This is because the expansion is happening without any heat being added (like you'd do when water boils) and as such it cools rapidly. Now would it happen in quite the explosive manner? probably not, but it is an animated movie.

[@richardbonnette490]

SO, it would actually be a snow globe or snowing at the end of steamboy, not exploded into a new crystal palace?

[@terrorcop101]

I actually asked my high school chemistry teacher about this; he didn't mention anything about explosive force, but he did say that this is the whole idea behind refrigeration.

[@iowanimperium7258]

I believe the explosion was just a pressure blow out since the system in the castle runs at extreme pressure levels for every thing to function, and with the castle being heavily damaged and one steam ball being slightly damaged along with the other two being forced to run without the third. It's no surprise that bolts holding the steam balls together finally gave up.

[@theblackswordsman9951]

Akira is only "slightly" more enjoyable? You sir need to explain yourself.

[@DanTheMan2150AD]

FrodoFraggins he has a lot to answer for now

[@Chreeeis]

Akira definitely drags on and resorts to action in a lot of the same ways Steam Boy had. Though, the ending sequence in Akira almost makes it worth the payoff.

[@isaacdebolt3637]

@@Chreeeis Akira has one of the sci Fi manga plots, the movies more enjoyable after reading the manga and knowing what's actually going on

[@desireless4092]

I love Otomo's inhuman attention to detail and given how rare it is and how much talent it takes to make a steam punk movie, this was like godsent to me. I love it with all the obvious flaws.

[@raultoichoa1574]

The massive castle and the three steam balls is a nod to The Thief and the Cobbler as well as to Castle in the Sky. A 'Castle in the Sky' is actually a pretty old idiom refering to dream architectures, esoteric philosophic systems, or other such things which while developed seem to lack a certain sense of grounding.

[@ZarHakkar]

I mean, they explained the ice, so that's on you. Gas rapidly expanding causes a drop in temperature, same principle as a refrigerator. It was even demonstrated during the steam castle's flight.

[@FlyingFocs]

All things considered, I think this is actually a pretty fun action movie. Not a great one, but one that you can definitely have fun with. If nothing else, the detail in the animation alone is still, in my opinion, incredibly impressive even 15+ years later.

[@DanTheMan2150AD]

Thank you for fulfilling my request Harry, and almost in time for my birthday as well, thank you. I do love this film but it mostly comes down to the art and music, especially the trailer music by John Powell.

[@commanderboreal1343]

“Oh he made Akira! This will be good.”

[@Aaron_Heininger]

Lol akira was a sloppy mess so it's not really a surprise this would also be a sloppy. But i was hopping the director would learn from his mistakes but guess not

[@montajedelespectador]

At least have finish not like Akira movie

[@BDNeon]

Weak characters and a weak plot are usually Otomo's failing, but holy fuck, is he good at creating incredible settings and animation and set-pieces.

[@nameless_bot-alpha]

4:59 It's called "Russian America" because at the time the film is set Alaska was a colonial possession of the Russian Empire. Your confusion over accents is quite unfounded, since the O'Hara Foundation can reasonably be assumed to be based in the United States.

[@anor_naur]

My first thought as well. Tbh I’m surprised he doesn’t know this about his own country, but I guess Americans aren’t big on history.

[@natebox4550]

@@anor_naur this guy sounds very British what do you mean?

[@natebox4550]

@@anor_naur also I’m rather alright with history personally and I’m an American.

[@anor_naur]

@@natebox4550 I guess you are right about the Brittish accent, my bad.

[@natebox4550]

@@anor_naur albeit American aristocrats around that time had a more British accent, it really depends, although I doubt most in Alaska would have any British or American accent considering that it was Russian. Although there were also settlers there that spoke English.

[@XxDyneXxFreeEnergyx]

I found steamboy great I had no gripes with it I watched it and could easily watch it again.

[@CerealExperimentsMizuki]

I love this movie, I wish there was more too it but I can't find anything if there is, it's an amazing movie but sadly it would've been too expensive. A person can dream though...

[@piersonhall9197]

You should do a review Redline. It took 7 years, cost 30 million and nearly bankrupted Madhouse

[@carlosluismendez7392]

I'm surprised that Sunrise didn't give the middle finger to Otomo and still makes projects with him. I guess Gundam toys paid for it.

[@montajedelespectador]

And later people ask why don't make more anime like this

[@falkyrie5228]

I watched this movie as a kid and it blew my fucking mind. Back then I had no experience with anime outside of Speed Racer and Saint Seiya, let a lone a whole movie, and Steampunk was an alien word to me. I remember being obsessed about every machine on the screen, from the monocycle, to the steam tank, mech suits and jetpack. It's a shame to hear it doesn't hold up, but I still plan on watching it again - lets hope nostalgia goggles make it better.

[@tulip324]

I really liked steamboy 😢

[@Arturobrito0502]

I like the trains that appear in the movie, they certainly look like something out of victorian era in brittain, plus, i think one or two were based on real british steam engines, super well made

[@paulstaker8861]

what a waste of manpower and talent. The animation quality here is supreme. Leagues ahead of most outings today. What a shame the story's so thin, the movie could've been an immortal classic.

[@mrthomas2847]

Remember this is his opinion of the movie, prats I agree and some not agree but still enjoy hearing what others thinking :) but not shocking they would fire at kids at that age, British did way worse at that current time, plus the cannon shot was not meant for her, but the steam soldiers charging behind her.

[@mothafuckinfoofighter8543]

Steamboy is sort of the anime equivalent to Waterworld: A famously hyped up and expensive film that focused more on visual spectacle than story and characters, and was released to middling reviews and was a financial flop.

[@doubleflores8350]

So it’s basically Steampunk in a nutshell.

[@terrorcop101]

When you put it that way, I have to agree. Much as I want to defend this video for the special place it holds for me, the truth is the battle between the O'Haras and Stevenson is really the only reason I'd watch it again. I re-watched that clip just yesterday, which is enough to make you think that there was supposed to be a greater, more in-depth message(s) portrayed here, but they just fell short along with the interest in the narrative itself. Heck most of the film is dedicated to them showcasing the mechanical wonders of this fictionalized Victorian era, but not actually discussing the reasons behind or ramifications associated with them. You get some, but if there was supposed to be some greater message, you'd think that it'd be more deeply embedded in the story; best you do get is an idea of the true face of war and what it does to innocence.

[@MsCMA94]

I’ve seen it many times! I love the film, it has been a life changing source of inspiration for me! Personally, I give it an 7.5-8/10.

[@DaveWraptastic]

Back when I was collecting DVDs like a maniac I bought this. I guess it was more than 10 years ago when I bought Steamboy and I still haven't seen it.

[@obsidian9998]

1:13 Blockbuster was when I first seen it high school. Then found it for cheap online later to watch. I like the Dub eventhough I criticized other Dub work. The voice actors work well in this one for me.

[@Superelksch]

man, i just watched the movie and i loved it, but i can see why it failed money wise, shame, i found it to be so great

[@Masterho310]

Steam boy is a great movie. The problem is it feels like part 1 of a trilogy that never happened. And they show us stills of the next 2 films in the ending to give us resolutions to the characters arcs.

[@derworfnet]

It most certainly didn't suck, although it wasn't quite on the level of "Akira". Hard to explain but the fact that the older movie was entirely hand drawn added a certain... rawness? sense of realism? its slicker, heavily CGI-augmented sibling was kinda lacking. And yes, the CGI was very well integrated and of high quality, especially for the time, but its hard (if not impossible) to beat "Akira" and how its animation was just constantly flexing. But I get it, its a different kind of movie.

[@Kleinerx10]

I guess the whole "explosion turning to ice" is because it is not an explosion in the common sense but a release of pressure. It's a massive steam leak. As the story explains, these steamballs hold an near unimaginable amount of Steam/pressure and the castle was powered by 2-3? So as the structure burst, it all got released. And releasing high pressure takes energy out of the surrounding air, dropping the temperature. So everything got turned into ice. In a technical sense it´s not wrong. In regard to the film, I would give it an unbiased 7/10 but since I'm a sucker for Steampunk it's a personal 9/10 for me.

[@desperatemohammedantheworl5833]

9:22 - Wait, didn't Johnathan Swift come up with that idea in 1726? Even calling his flying castle Laputa.

[@stijnjanssens571]

the balloon after the monowiel chase i do really like, it gives the feeling that O'Hara always has more aces up there sleaves and that they're always ahead, even if it is only in techology also the fact that a lot of the O'hara inventions are quite logicaly designed and great looking.. they always end up breaking in some way because of human's that don't know how to use them or there just beeing mistakes in them. Gives them a feeling of moving to fast, even for themselves. Beeing so hiperfocused on making the product that techinicly should work but have not been tested (enough). I like this movie, it has major problems with it's story and writing but the steampunk inventions are all just amazing

[@jwd4049]

Thanks Harry watching your reviews has really helped me over the past few years!

[@desperatemohammedantheworl5833]

The chase scene near the beginning of the film where they end up on the railway track heading into Manchester is easily the best part of a decent, if nothing special, film.

[@carlosluismendez7392]

Well, it's a visually amazing film still..

[@ZETH_27]

I also liked the "demonstration" sequences simply because of all the cool inventions.

[@captain_buggles]

I would be exaggerating if I said this movie sucks, but it still strikes me as lacking some vague... *something*. Also, the explanation of how a steamball works still drives me up a wall, even though I know they're just supposed to be convenient plot devices. My personal nerdy take would be that the steamball isn't really an infinite generator, and is instead a thermal super-battery. Here, the solution stores thermal energy, yet barely rises past a certain temperature itself, storing the rest more subtly... like, in the bonds of its molecules, let's say. So, it spent ages gathering geothermal energy. The solution in steamballs has then been specially treated to release some when pressure's relieved. This evaporates water, but very little, at first. Still, this vapor's "charged" with extra molecular bond energy, released in a chain-reaction with surrounding gases. All air affected accelerates and expands outward, becoming opaque and looking like steam itself as its moisture content condenses. Thus, tons of steam in a more semi-believable-ish way. Such a steamball would now need water refills periodically, but the mineral won't evaporate, so it's almost infinitely reusable, in theory. The total energy in the solution would still be so vast that it'll still last years, even at the rate they're going, so it can still *seem* infinite in the short term. Even longer term, since the solution is extremely efficient at collecting energy, there are multiple ways you could recharge it with natural pre-existing heat, rather than needing to waste your own energy.

[@peacefuldawn6823]

'DID IT SUCK? | Howl's Haunted House Review' when?

[@antoineda8860]

The real critique to be made is the language. In the french version, it is a great movie.

[@themoronbrothers9505]

He made Beyond for Animatrix didn’t he? I hope they make another Animatrix and this guy makes another episode Beyond was either number 1 or 2 for favourite episode

[@tuttifrutti2229]

The sound design is incredible and the visuals are really great, music is good. Such an underrated anime

[@szymonbollin5074]

Is liking something that "isnt good" bad?

[@scatmanjohnfan22]

Nah. Anime fans are just prudes.

[@thatguybrody4819]

i wouldn't say it isn't good. it's not great, but it's not bad either.

[@kennyball3385]

Hurry up and review Howl's Moving Castle already!

[@timtheskeptic1147]

When I asked my anime group of friends if they wanted to watch Steam Boy the answer was always no. I don't know why.

[@Bishop_Heahmund]

Amazing video, you deserve much more views for this

[@Meiseside]

personly, I like the ending of Steamboy more than akiras ending

[@kat2019]

I enjoyed this film but I absolutely hated scarlett and the storyline is awfully boring. the only character I actually cared about was ray and the side characters got more screentime than he did. it's a real shame because the visuals are insanely good.

[@CrossOfBayonne]

The first steam locomotives were brought here to the US back in the early 1800s and they were until the 1950s.

[@Meekox]

Liked the review but I’m kinda disappointed you lump the dub to the movie itself

[@lastlight05]

I remember enjoying the movie, still want to watch it again.

[@piedathemokona]

Doc ock is father to xmen's rogue!! Anna paquin plays steamboy. And captain pricard is the grandpa

[@MokkaHai]

i have recently heard about this film and i love it seeing as i am a big fan of anything steam powered

[@toompyfloyd4074]

9:37 Ahh yes the machine spirit is pleased, praise the omnissiah

[@Skreezilla]

beautiful use of the Avalanches

[@akundaruratkalalupa9710]

nice video and all, but really, why discussing about dubs as part of the movie itself. I just watch subs and enjoy the movie as it is, its weird to put the dub as part of criticism mixed with the movie. I would rather have it in its own section, as both are different part. Movie (plot, character, animation, sound effect ,ect) first, and then dub (english voice acting, ect.) as the later part.

[@samuelmbila5583]

This movie was actually pretty good!

[@anthonyrichards1454]

I've been debating whether to buy this film all week so this video couldn't have come at a better time

[@Spate_Fissionfire]

I just saw the movie, and I loved it.

[@firegirl26]

i love this film

[@schadowizationproductions6205]

Well, Alaska was Russian even in our timeline.

[@xboxshift_7371]

I watched this movie like 2 days ago and I actually enjoyed this movie.

[@onlyonepixel7847]

Esse vídeo me fez entender que norte americanos tem dificuldade de entender obras que não seguem o padrão de cinema deles, por isso o Oscar não é critério para porra nenhuma.

[@HolyCross9]

It's a shame that this masterpiece didn't make a box office smash.

[@Marcy53Volkswagen]

how was the japanese dub?

[@sulavkhadka4624]

how to see this anime

[@The_Fancy_Duck]

2:52 bruh I just thinking of that.

[@butterflyenjoyer230]

Honestly if it had a sequel or something i bet the sequel could work

[@Jon_from_LI]

Frankly I don't care if I'm in the small minority. I liked the story BETTER THAN AKIRA.

[@Aaron_Heininger]

First off I'll agree the action was good but the way the characters evaded danger became lame and so Hollywood. Shame the animation was freaking amazing like almost redline amazing which also sacrificed detail for story. Which is sad to see something this amazing fail do to lack of organizations. But i still say compared to most animated films it does wow and impress way better then most films of today. And the acting wasn't that bad if anything then random interaction and overlapping dialogues made the film have a nature interactions based on the characters personalities.

[@marionforge2769]

Great film

[@Meleeman011]

the world shall bow down to the power of science! and bow down it did.

[@connorgolden4]

I thought it was damn good!

[@heartofcinema3454]

Not enough room for story, too much time and focus on action, much of this due to over running of production.

[@Fish-ub3wn]

thx

[@McDADDyK]

Why no Japanese engrish voice to go with the type of movie?

[@ShaddySoldier]

Beautiful looking movie, but eoth a dumb story. Many such cases.

[@darkmoonfox5275]

It was great movie i dont care what you all think

[@Anuwabu]

It's not often you see this caliber of animation paired with such a bland and uninspired story.

[@GarrisonMorton]

Is the freezing thing scientifically sound or is it just a bunch of nonsense? It makes no sense to me.

[@dissident_media]

Weird u review this when I've just recently scene this for the first time

[@DaveWraptastic]

Why would you ever watch an anime movie dubbed by the way? Yeah its set in England but still, you always know the Japanese voices will be better.

[@DanTheMan2150AD]

HandjesBreda don’t start that debate it’ll be a losing battle.

[@desperatemohammedantheworl5833]

I beg to differ, some dubs are great, all depends how much time, effort and skill are put into them. Anyhow, for some reason the original UK DVD only contained they english dub and that's probably what HHH was reviewing it from.

[@DaveWraptastic]

@@desperatemohammedantheworl5833 Yikes is all I can say. Even the dubs that are considered good like Baccano, Black Lagoon and Cowboy Bebop are decent but not close enough. Maybe with the exception of Black Lagoon where the swearing really gave it that extra punch in the dub.

[@DanTheMan2150AD]

HandjesBreda Black Lagoon is a rare dub that manages to surpass its original sub and form its own identity.

[@LookHereMars]

I prefer dubbed to be honest when it's done right. I have nothing against listening to the Japanese language I just find the movies more immersive in my own language. There are some bad dubs out their granted but for me personally if I can get a good anime dub I will though I'm not against watching a sub.

[@annedrieck7316]

Sucheemu boy!

[@barrelrolldog]

Awful story. Awful dub. Slightly too dark colours. But amazing and spectacular visuals and animation. So i love it for that at least. But it goes to show you can't just have a movie succeed off of its visuals alone.

[@magua9563]

I saw Steamboy as a kid, I was so incredibly bored and it along with Vampire Hunter D were my first exploration into anime.

[@annedrieck7316]

Unlike miyazaki who puts himself on the watchers shoe and understood that the movie is not about only just flexing how impressive the animation or how beautiful u could make every frame as u can. To put it in simple terms miyazaki make his movie for his viewer unlike this guy who sole purpose was just wanted to chase the elusive guinessess record in his head which ironically failed to even hook most of the hardcore fans to watch this anime. Desperately putting his "magnum opus" like a sacred cow that must be like by all. The man can draw mind u but he's too engulf in his little bubble of his fantasy world he forgot that other people exist and has no time or passion to be a fan of his vanity project he tried to "perfect" for almost a decade.