Heavy Metal, an 80's Cult Classic

When I think back, I'm really a product of the 80's. I remember growing up on shows like Transformers, G.I. Joe and Starblazers. I can remember dashing home everyday in hopes of catching the next episodes. But not one of them could prepare me for the pulse pounding adrenaline ride that was Heavy Metal.

The first time I saw Heavy Metal, I was captivated by the surreal imagery, the sex, the drugs, the wild characters, and, of course, the rock and roll. The movie is an animated feature that's actually a series of skits surrounding an evil green orb that is tormenting a young girl. Each skit is loosely coupled by nothing more than a battle between good and evil, that was started somehow by the glowing green orb, called the Loc-Nar.

The movie is based upon the risque fantasy pictures and comics that were published in a magazine of the same name. It was a popular magazine that began in France, called Metal Hurlant, and was later brought to the U.S. under the name Heavy Metal. I can't be sure, but the skits in the movie, probably cover a number of pieces of art or comics that were drawn in the magazine.

I can remember the first time I saw it, I was captivated by the amazing worlds that were created, and how different each one was. But the thing that really got me going was the music. They added songs from Sammy Hagar, Blue Oyster Cult, Cheap Trick, Devo, Black Sabbath, Journey and Grand Funk Railroad. The music was the real kicker. Each episode alone was captivating, but accompanied by heart-pounding heavy metal, it was almost too much to handle.

The truth is, I owe more to this movie than I owe any other. In the most recent years of my life I've taken to drawing, and it's the characters, and stories in this film that have motivated me to want to develop characters and stories of my own. Watching the movie Heavy Metal, I feel like the boundaries of realism are broken down, and almost anything is possible.

By today's standards, the animation is probably sub-standard, and the content is clearly adult, but this is still one of my all-time favorites. I fire it up at least once a year, and reminisce about the first time I saw it. And listen to the music.