Review by Dragan Antulov
2½ stars out of 4
Some movies become cult because they managed to gain small but
dedicated group of devotees. Others become cult because of their
long absence. The latter was the case with many titles in East
European countries, often being pulled out of general distribution for
allegedly offending ruling Communist sensibilities (and later
becoming legends among anti-Communist intelligentsia). However,
this phenomenon can occur even in capitalist West and HEAVY
METAL, 1981 anthology of animated science-fiction films directed by
Gerald Potterton, is one of the best examples. Originally a huge hit in
cinema, it was released on video only fifteen years later due to
soundtrack royalties dispute.
The plot (and what goes for plot) of the film is based on vignettes
published in HEAVY METAL, US edition of French comic book
magazine METAL HURLANT. Loc Nar is all-powerful green orb that
represents embodiment of everything evil in the universe. In the
beginning of the film it has cornered terrified young girl and starts
telling her stories that feature large amounts of violence, sex,
corruption, betrayal and depravity.
When HEAVY METAL appeared on video in 1996, many people for
the first time became aware how everything changed in previous
decade and half. Many of the original fans used to be teenage males
and the film (produced by Ivan Reitman, later known for his family-
oriented comedies) pander to their sentiments with the combination
of graphic violence, drug use, female nudity and hard rock
soundtrack (sometimes compatible, and sometimes not with more
traditional, but very effective score by Elmer Bernstein). Since each of
the vignettes was based on different source and made by different
artists, quality of stories and animation varies (the author of this
review prefers the last segment), but most of them seem unfinished.
Younger audiences would probably be disappointed by the poor
quality of film, but they would also probably be thrilled with the
images of sex and violence usually not associated with animated
features of today's Hollywood. Although HEAVY METAL draws
much of its present charm from the mere fact that it was produced in
good old times before Reagan and "political correctness", its
importance in history of science fiction cinema isn't small - some of
the segments, especially "Harry Kenyon" with its "future noir"
version of 21st Century New York, influenced future filmmakers, with
Besson's FIFTH ELEMENT being the most obvious example. In any
case, HEAVY METAL, despite all of its flaws and anacrhonisms,
nevertheless represents something of a refreshment in today's sterile
climate of Hollywood and those nostalgic towards early 1980s aren't
the only ones who would discover "guilty pleasure" in it.
Copyright © 2003 Dragan Antulov
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out of 4
