Heavy Metal
Update: South Park is what reminded me of this movie.
Someone mentioned this movie the other day and I remembered having seen it, but don’t remember when or where. As it was 1981, I must have been living in Florida, so I must have seen it at the local second run house. (I don’t remember there being any first run places there outside of the mall on Merritt Island.) This would have been the right place for it, but I really thought it was much earlier, like college time or something.
Anyway, this is a loosely connected series of vignettes based on the old Heavy Metal magazine. (Is that still around any more? Yes, it seems to be.) Something about good and evil. Or something. But mostly boobs. Some blood, too, but mostly boobs. (I did have to laugh at the “Harry Canyon” vignette. In the New York City in the far apocalyptic future, the cabs were 95ยข per mile.)
The artwork is quite good even if it’s geared for the 12- to 14-year-old set. The animation is quite good as well, if a bit dated. Although I kept feeling like I was watching a mash up of Jonny Quest and Tales From the Crypt as done by Frank Frazetta.
But IIRC, it’s the soundtrack that was the biggest draw, and on paper it is. I’m certainly willing to concede it’s because of my tinny little speakers, but the music didn’t seem all that well integrated into the film. I remember it as having much more of an impact. Then again, I could have been viewing it in an altered stated of reality considering when it was released. I was also a bit distracted when I saw who was doing some of the voices (John Candy, Eugene Levy, Harold Ramis, John Vernon, Joe Flaherty).
Not a bad film, really.
