Heavy Metal (1981)
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A sprawling anthology of science-fiction and fantasy stories are linked by a mysterious, malevolent force known as the Loc-Nar.
The story
Heavy Metal is an anthology film featuring a collection of diverse science-fiction and fantasy tales. These disparate stories are unified by a recurring, malevolent force described as 'the sum of all evils.' The narrative structure weaves together various tales of high-stakes adventure, ranging from dystopian urban environments to alien worlds. The film's production was notable for its ambitious scale, utilizing multiple animation houses to develop different segments simultaneously. It is known for its striking visual style and a heavy influence from the Heavy Metal magazine, incorporating elements of graphic violence and surreal imagery to create a distinct, adult-oriented experience.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The film is structured as an anthology where various stories are linked by the Loc-Nar, a green, crystalline sphere. In 'Grimaldi', an astronaut's gift to his daughter becomes a gateway to seeing how the Loc-Nar has influenced history. In 'Harry Canyon', a taxi driver in a dystopian 2031 New York encounters a woman and a hidden Loc-Nar. 'Den' follows a man transformed into a muscular warrior in the land of Neverwhere. 'Captain Sternn' depicts a corrupt captain on a space station dealing with a mutated witness. 'B-17' shows a pilot on a WWII bomber whose crew is reanimated as zombies by the Loc-Nar. 'So Beautiful & So Dangerous' involves a scientist and a girl abducted by a starship. Finally, 'Taarna' follows a warrior fighting a mutant army created by the Loc-Nar's influence on another world. The film concludes with the girl and Taarna's spirit becoming one as the Loc-Nar is destroyed.
- First release year
- 1981
- Runtime (minutes)
- 90
- Production countries
- Canada
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Gerald Potterton
- Writers
- Daniel Goldberg · screenplay; Len Blum · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Rodger Bumpass · not specified; Jackie Burroughs · not specified; John Candy · not specified; Joe Flaherty · not specified; Don Francks · not specified; Martin Lavut · not specified; Marilyn Lightstone · not specified; Eugene Levy · not specified
- Genres
- animated; science fantasy; anthology
- Themes
- evil; transformation; war
- Premise and plot tags
- anthology; sci-fi; fantasy
- Source material / true-story basis
- Heavy Metal magazine
- Franchise connections
- Heavy Metal
- Content notes
- violence; nudity
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics but has since achieved a cult following.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 66% · scale: percentage · review count: 35
- Production trivia
- The film's production was expedited by having several animation houses working simultaneously on different segments.; The film was parodied in a season 12 episode of the adult animated comedy series South Park.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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