Steampunk refers tothe sci-fi subgenrethat imagines a society where humanity continues to rely primarily on steam power.
These movies capture steampunk’s essence to its fullest, bringing this challenging sub-genre to riveting life.
Marshals tasked with thwarting the nefarious plans of Dr. Arliss Loveless (Kenneth Branagh).
Image via Walt Disney Studios
Loveless aims to assassinate PresidentUlysses S. Grantand establish his dominion using a giant mechanical spider, naturally.
That said, it’s jam-packed with memorable steampunk visuals.
Sonnenfield clearly put a lot of effort into paying homage to steampunk classics.
Image via Warner Bros.
As are all of we."
It’s essentially a raunchy, tongue-in-cheek rewrite of Frankenstein,and it’s simply terrific.
Lathimos deploys steampunk aesthetics throughout, like the fisheye lenses and stylized colors.
The setting is also simultaneously retro and futuristic, with both rudimentary surgery and advanced skyships.
Indeed, the technology is decidedly steampunk, particularly the machines and critters in Baxter’s laboratory.
“Creating the animals was a challenge because we did it partly in-camera,“notedeffects supervisorSimon Hughes.
Image via Searchlight Pictures
Ray faces a host of formidable foes, but his talent for invention gives him a fighting chance.
SteamBoywas helmed byAkiradirectorKatsuhiro Otomo, so it’s no surprise that it’s a visual marvel.
“Treasure Planetis a sci-fi take onRobert Louis Stevenson’s classic storyTreasure Island.
It centers on the space-faring Jim Hawkins (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), who discovers a fabled map.
Treasure Planetcombines traditional hand-drawn animation with CGI, creating a visually spectacular universe filled with unique characters.
The themes also get surprisingly thoughtful, with a prominent anti-imperial message.
Image via Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
“City of Emberunfolds in a subterranean fortress built to protect humanity for 200 years.
However, the city’s future is thrown into jeopardy when its power source begins to fail.
City of Emberis something of a mixed bag.
Had the drama been handled just a little better, this could have been a sci-fi classic.
It’s what we make of it.
“9is another solid movie with the potential to be a masterpiece.
Image via Disney
As they battle against monstrous machines that hunt them, 9 discovers a way to potentially end their plight.
On the steampunk side,9has a plethora of retro-futurism, like alchemy, homunculi, and automatons.
Once again,the visuals are the movie’s strongest point.
DirectorShane Ackerknows how to use images economically and elegantly in service of his story.
“Hayao MiyazakiandDiana Wynne Jonesmake for a formidable storytelling combination.
Miyazaki merges past and future nimbly, with architecture from the 1900s alongside dangerously advanced machines.
Image via 20th Century Studios
Bomb-dropping warships, in particular, perpetually hover overheard.
Plus,the castle itself may be the ultimate steampunk machine, a hodgepodge of magic and steam power.
The quirky design extends to the supporting characters as well, including the lovable fire demon Calcifer.
“Brazilis a dystopian satire set in an oppressively bureaucratic society, conjured up by Monty Python’sTerry Gilliam.
Brazilis1984with a darkly comedic edge and a nightmarish visual style.
“Brazil’s take on steampunk aesthetics was highly influential.
He also drew a lot of inspiration from Jules Verne’s stories.
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