Steamboy (2004)

Katsuhiro Ôtomo, the genius behind Akira (1988), the first example of Japanese anime to break through into the mass market, directs this unusual animated film, which is set in Britain in the mid-19th century. It's the story of a boy whose grandfather sends him a mysterious "steam ball", a revolutionary invention which stores steam under extraordinary pressure. Unfortunately, the ball's arrival also brings the boy to the attention of certain forces of evil who want the ball for their own sinister purposes. Top actors lend their voices to the English version of this exciting, action-packed adventure, which is a cut above the normal run-of-the-mill animated epic, courtesy of the master at the helm. Fans of top class animation will love it.