Review of Heavy Metal (1981) by Blais E — 20 Feb 2011

A superior Canadian-lensed animated effort, showcasing 6 classic stories from the iconic and long-running sci-fi/fantasy magazine of the same name. Spanning a variety of vastly-different animation styles from a broad, Saturday-morning cartoonesque feel (The "Den", "Captain Sternn", and "So Beautiful and So Dangerous" segments-), to a gritty Ralph Bakshi-like quality ("Harry Canyon", "B-17"-), and finally to the very-detailed and rotoscoped beautiful final installment, "Taarna", the segments are all very interesting, but range in scope and quality.

The voice-work is adequate, with only a few big names ("Second City TV" vets John Candy, Eugene Levy, Harold Ramis, and Joe Flaherty, as well as rich-voiced John Vernon ((Dean Wormer from "Animal House")) on board.

Definitely not for children, as the production contains ample supplies of graphic violence, female nudity, and sexuality. Also featuring a stupendous rock-and-roll soundtrack, with the likes of Sammy Hagar, Stevie Nicks, Donald Fagen, Cheap Trick, Devo, and Black Sabbath.

One of the real standouts among the small amount of adult animated films, a true original. Followed by an acceptable, though inferior sequel many moons later.