2. Steamboy is a Japanese
film, which appeared in 2004, produced
by Sunrise, and directed by Katsuhiro
Otomo. This film took place in the
nineteenth. It brought in $10,870,198 to
the box office. This film is all about a
family who possesses a special gift that
aids them in advancing technology
through steam power. It is ultimately
about the power these 3 men have and
exactly how they utilize these powers, is
it for good or evil?
3. Technology is the making, modification, usage, and knowlegde of tools,
machines, techniqures, crafts, systems, and methods of organization, in order to solve
a problem, achieve a goal, or preform a specific function. Advancements in
technology can drastically change the life you lead if you are the one who created the
invention and harbor the knowledge required to create new technology. Technology
can open so many doors to a new life and if these advancements are used
inappropriately then many things can go wrong and the inventions can get into the
hands of greedy people.
Steamboy uses the advancements of the steam
Engine and on the “steamball” to enhance society, but the evil
O’Hara Foundation desires the new technology and is willing
to steal these advancements from the Steam family.
Advancing technology can also be dangerous, Edward Steam,
who created the steam powered engine got severely hurt and
chose to go work for the O’Hara Foundation for his own greedy
reasons.
4. A protest is an expression of objection by words or by actions to particular
events, policies, or situations. Protests, as you can see, come in all sorts of shapes
and sizes. The kind of protest that is present in this film Steamboy, is shown through
Ray Steam’s actions. Ray proves he can stand up for himself and what he believes
is morally right. There is no need for a large protest full of people nor is it a
peaceful protest where Ray can just use kind words to the men of the O’Hara
Foundation.
Ray Steam ultimately refused to coexist with his father inside the
foundation. He believed that the O’Hara foundation’s actions were negative and
morally wrong. To start a protest there must be something you feel strongly about
then work toward that problem and work to solve it, and that is exactly what Ray
began to do.
5. Ray Steam is a very intelligent thirteen year old boy. He lives in
Manchester and is following in the footsteps, as an inventor, behind his father and
grandfather. He proves his mechanical talent through the invention of his steam
powered monowheel and a steam-propelled flying device. He continues to create
these advancements in steam power until he is chased by the O’Hara Foundation
men for his grandfather’s steamball invention.
Ray is a very strong boy who is very much against
using his talent and special skill for harmful reasons.
Although Ray’s ideas sway to that of his father and
grandfather’s. Those ideas do not stay long in Ray’s
mind and he ends up standing up for his own beliefs
and does not let anyone else change his mind.
6. Edward Steam is Ray’s father. When Edward’s father was creating the
steamball. There was a huge accident, which left Edward burned by steam and the loss
of his right arm and parts of his legs. Not only was he left physically damaged but
mentally as well. His morals he had always believed in were twisted after the accident
and he went to go work for the O’Hara Foundation. He did not see the problem for
working for an evil company that used his talent in order to help the corrupt foundation.
Edward Steam uses the O’Hara Foundation in
order to launch his new invention, his ultimate
invention. His new invention was a humongous
flying war machine called the Steam Castle. His
values got so tangled that they contradicted all
that he believed in before the accident and all
that his son believed in.
7. Technology was a very prevalent theme through out the film Steamboy.
Technology is shown through Ray Steam’s steam powered monowheel and his steam
powered flying device. Lloyd Steam’s “steamball” is a very reoccurring piece of
technology as well. Lastly, Edward Steam’s monstrous flying war machine called the
Steam Castle. All three of the Steam men created numerous steam powered inventions.
What these men did with their talent separated them from one another. Ray used his
monowheel and flying device for good, he used the wheel to prevent the Foundation men
from capturing the “steamball” and used his flying device to safely remove himself and
Scarlett from the O’Hara Foundation. Ultimately Ray used his talent and inventions for
good and not evil.
On the other hand, Edward took
advantage of the accident that happened to him
and decided to work for the O’Hara Foundation
by advancing technology to create a flying war
machine for the O’Hara company. The O’Hara
Foundation ultimately was going to use this
machine to negatively effect society.
8. Steamboy’s other theme that is represented through out this film is that of
Protest. When people think of the word protest they may think of a large group of people
saying what they want. In Ray’s case he protests against working for such cruel and evil
people who are apart of the O’Hara Foundation. He protests against working for this
company simply because he does not agree with their values and morals and what they
are willing to risk in order for power and money. Ray does not value power and money
higher than his own morals and refuses to work for such a corrupt business, even though
his somewhat disabled father is working for them.
Ray Steam becomes a hero at the end
of this story based off of his strong principles and his
strong-willed nature. Ultimately, Ray uses his new
steam powered inventions in order to save lives and
rescue the innocent from the O’Hara Foundation.
10.
Jordan Janac: Powerpoint slides 1-4
Discussion Questions: 7,8, and 9
Jason Trieu: Powerpoint slides 5-8
Discussion Questions: 4, 5, 6
Taylor Gambee: Powerpoint slides 9-11
Youtube 5-minute Steamboy clip
Discussion Questions: 1, 2, and 3
11. Liu, Jun. "Mobile Communication, Popular Protests And Citizenship In China." Modern Asian
Studies 47.3 (2013): 995-1018. Academic Search Premier. Web. 30 Jan. 2014.
Sicilia, David. “Steam Power and the Progress of Industry in the Late Nineteenth Century.”
Theory and Society, Vol. 15, No. 1/2, Special Double Issue: Structures of Capital (1986):
pp. 287-299. 30 Jan. 2014.
Soengas, Xosé. “The Role Of The Internet And Social Networks In The Arab Uprisings – An
Alternative To Official Press Censorship”. Comunicar 21.41 (2013): 147-155. Academic
Search Premier. Web. 30 Jan. 2014
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protest
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technology
