Today’s quick review: Heavy Metal. In a surreal future, the Loc-Nar (Percy Rodriguez), a green orb embodying pure evil, shows a girl (Caroline Semple) visions of its influence over many worlds. Its tales include a cab driver (Richard Romanus) caught in a web of intrigue, a teenage boy (John Candy) transported to a barbaric world, and a warrior woman fighting against a mutated warlord (Vlasta Vrana) for the future of humanity.
Heavy Metal is an animated fantasy anthology based on the magazine of the same name. Heavy Metal tells eight tales loosely connected by the corrupting presence of the Loc-Nar. The stories range from absurd sci-fi comedy to epic post-apocalyptic fantasy, but they are all set in outlandish worlds brought to life by intricate animation. The film’s creativity and craftsmanship are enough to make it a cult classic, but its content will alienate some viewers.
Heavy Metal goes all-in on sex and violence. Several of the shorts have explicit nudity, and nearly all of them include gore of one form or another. Unlike other movies that dabble in mature content, Heavy Metal includes these elements for their own sake, rather than for a specific story purpose. The film’s lascivious and bloodthirsty content, its grotesque animation, and the nihilistic bent to several of its stories are all steep barries to entry.
But underneath Heavy Metal’s gritty exterior is a bizarrely compelling movie. Many of the stories seem pointless, but others have real payoff in terms of action, comedy, or speculation. Each world is crafted with care, whether it’s an overcrowded New York, a futuristic space station, or an apocalyptic wasteland. The art style is frequently ugly, but it can also be beautiful, with richly detailed backgrounds and some truly impressive animated sequences.
Heavy Metal will not be for everyone. The grungy tone of the stories and art, the naked escapism of some of its stories, and the disjointed overarching plot will make the movie a non-starter for a large swathe of viewers. But those willing to embrace—or at least look past—its quirks will find that it has something special to offer. Fans of the weird and outrageous side of the sci-fi and fantasy genres should give it a shot.
For a comedic sci-fi adventure with similar plot elements, check out The Fifth Element. For a violent action movie set in a future where life is cheap, try Judge Dredd. For an animated fantasy movie with similar appeal, try Rock & Rule or Wizards. For an animated sci-fi movie with a rough exterior that masks a heartfelt world, check out Redline.
6.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for impressive craftsmanship and polarizing content.