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Heavy Metal

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A Techtite Review

The Film : It's always intriguing to look back at an entertainment concept that was years (if not decades) ahead of its time. This R-rated animated film offered novel, new-age animation concepts long before MTV's popular 1990's animation menagerie, Liquid Television. The film also offered a mature perspective in animated storytelling, long before Simpsons, South Park, and King of the Hill. Top all this off with a truly awesome --you guessed it-- Heavy Metal soundtrack. For fans of next-generation animation, what wasn't there to like?

Heavy Metal is a rag-tag bunch of stories linked together via a core story, involving an all-powerful sphere of evil power, called the Grimaldi. This evil entity affects humankind at various places in time and space, affecting our love, our hate, and even our very lives. From a murder trial in space, to a bombing run during World War II, the Grimaldi affects each human for its own agenda. The girl he is telling these stories to can destroy this power, and allow humankind to make their own decisions in life once more. Before defeating her, however, he'll brag about his past victories, as any movie villain typically would. Will this give the girl time to plan an attack? You have two guesses...though the ride to that predictable moment is worth the trip.

These Grimaldi "flashbacks" are either based or inspired by actual short stories from Heavy Metal, the fantasy-art magazine that also gives the film its title. In "Den," a young computer geek (voiced by John Candy) uncovers a strange rock (the Grimaldi) and finds himself thrust into a fantasy realm, where he must defeat the greedy forces in power there. Next in the film is "Captain Sternn," including the now-classic scene of a monstrous hulk who proceeds to destroy an entire space station! "So Beautiful, So Dangerous" is a hilarious tale of an odd robot (also voiced by John Candy) who abducts a young secretary from the Pentagon. These original stories are excellently adapted for the film. 

The three additional stories --written for the film itself-- are excellent as well. The Gimaldi turns a whole plane of deceased WW2 pilots into zombies that attempt to attack the survivors. "Harry Canyon" (Candy again, though you'd hardly recognize him) is a taxi cab driver in a futuristic New York, where the just-discovered Grimaldi is presumed to be a priceless gem, forcing Harry to protect the daughter of the man who discovered it...though can he trust her any more than the men after the gem themselves? The film concludes with the infamous "Taarna," the female swordsman who rides atop a giant alien bird of prey, and who is also the character on all the posters for the film (and this DVD case as well). By this finale, any fan of new-age art concepts should be very, very pleased, and consider this film as the classic all other fans do.

One thing that has to be said, however, is that this is no typical animated feature! It is rated R to the highest degree, with sex, nudity and curse words galore. In 1981, some even wondered if this film deserved an X rating (!). These days, after the likes of South Park, this may seem like a tip-toe trip through the park (no pun intended). However, the R-rating is still very much deserved, making the film hardly a cartoon for kids!

Regardless of deserved age restrictions, Heavy Metal is an excellent salute to the magazine of the same name, which was first published in April of 1977, and is still sold to this very day. This magazine originated in France; an English version was brought stateside, when read by a staff member of National Lampoon, during a business trip. The result was the first chance for U.S. audiences to see some of the best graphic artists Europe had to offer; as the poet said, the rest is history. By now, such imported animation has its own fan base. Admittedly, nearly two decades later, such art has met or surpassed most of the 1981 artistry seen in this film. However, much like other films of this type, it is truly a classic, and should be remembered as the vanguard appearance of numerous similar new-age cartoon concepts seen since its release. Fans of the genre should definitely consider adding it to their collection.

The DVD : The most ballyhooed addition to the DVD are the rough cuts (animated pencil sketches, though still intriguing to see) of the infamous deleted scene, Neverwhere Land. This was intended to be placed between the fantasy realm of "Den" and a high tech space station of "Sternn," creating a smoother transition between the two stories. Unfortunately, the film was running too long, and this was the scene chosen to be cut. While the animation is quite rough, it will give the general idea of what was to be attempted, and will intrigue many fans.

In addition, the DVD offers a sneak-peek at an alternate introduction and conclusion considered for the film. This is shown via the original pencil-sketch storyboards for this story idea, with narration from the film's producer. This alternate story plan involved a merry-go-round, where all the "horses" would be props appropriate to each story; a B-17 Bomber, a taxi cab, and so on. By the end of the film, Taarna's flying bird would come to life on the merry-go round, and the girl would fly away. Obviously, the story chosen in the final film was a much better idea! However, this alternate story idea will intrigue most fans.

The best addition, however, would have to be the option of a "Feature Length rough cut" of the film. In this alternate viewing choice, scenes alternate between the colored version of a scene, the pencil-sketch rough cut of that scene, or even (where applicable) the scene as it was originally filmed, with the help of professional models. If there was ever any doubt at the film's difficulty in creation and completion, here's the proof!

Some additional artwork is included on the DVD for posterity. There is a collection of original Heavy Metal artwork that inspired (or was inspired by) this film, as well as behind the scenes production stills, taken during filming. An "Imagining Heavy Metal" documentary explains the very uphill, roller coaster battle needed to bring this film to life. In addition, every single Heavy Metal magazine cover, from as far back as the premiere issue, is forevermore preserved on the DVD, making the DVD a definite must-have for any fan of the magazine.

	Final Rating : Large Crater. While some animation is quite dated by now, it's a fine film, released years ahead of its time. However, parents: take heed to the R Rating!
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