Not only has Heavy Metal become a cult classic passed on from generation to generation over the years since it debuted in 1981, but it was an actual hit when it appeared in theaters. The push the envelope animation film was made with a $9 million budget and when all things were said and done at the box office, it had banked $20 million.
Now, there have been previous home video releases of Heavy Metal, but none have come close to the Steelbook 4K Blu-ray release that is now in stores and retailers of all kinds. Yes, you read that correctly, not only can you own the film, but it is in 4K—bringing the animated visual wizardry and sonic succulence to heights never imagined in a million years.
Heavy Metal is an anthology film featuring several animated “shorts,” each directed by someone different and anchored around an original song penned and performed by heavier rock acts of the day. It’s science fiction. It’s fantasy. It is many things to many people, but it is held together by a thread that there is an evil entity out there that threatens the universe.
Its genesis comes from the magazine that shares the moniker for the film. The original stories have that same tone and tenor. It is so much like the magazine that this is an animated hard “R” for graphic violence, nudity, and sexuality. Also mirroring the publication and its stellar animation is an animated film worthy of the magazine’s legendary name.
Critics may not have “gotten it,” but audiences sure did. Then, there’s the soundtrack. Featuring some of the biggest names of the day, don’t be surprised if you are new to the world of Heavy Metal, concluding the film and immediately streaming or purchasing the soundtrack at your favorite music retailer. It possesses some killer talent in the form of Black Sabbath, Sammy Hagar (who sings the title track), Blue Öyster Cult, Cheap Trick, Journey, DEBO, Nazareth, and Steely Dan’s Don Felder.
The mettle of those behind the camera is immense and impressive. It is directed by Gerald Potterton and produced by Leonard Mogel (the publisher of Heavy Metal magazine) and the one and only—Mr. Ghostbusters—Ivan Reitman. Heavy Metal features the vocal talent of John Candy, Harold Ramis, Eugene Levy, Rodger Bumpass, Jackie Burroughs, Joe Flaherty, Don Francks, Martin Lavut, Marilyn Lightstone, and Alice Playten. It\s behind the camera brain trust that produced these vignettes included directors John Bruno and Jimmy T. Murakami (Soft Landing), John Halas (So Beautiful and So Dangerous), Julian Harris and Paul Sabella (Captain Sternn), Barrie Nelson (B-17), Jack Stokes (Den), along with Pino Van Lamsweerde (Harry Canyon), and Howard Whitaker (Grimaldi).
This is definitely an “adult” animated directed at those who have grown beyond Disney fare and the like. So, warning: this is in no way for children.
The SteelBook itself is packaged so beautifully, it only fitting. The main image is that legendary poster artwork that shows Taarna aboard her avian-like birdlike creature, holding her sword towards the stars—all with smoke emerging from the cityscape depicted.
So… what exactly is this film about?
This is directly from the official synopsis that should whet your appetite for the cult iconic.
“Based on the fantastical illustrated magazine Heavy Metal follows the otherworldly tale of a glowing green orb from outer space that spreads destruction throughout the galaxy. Only when encountered by its one true enemy, to whom it is inexplicably drawn, will goodness prevail throughout the universe.”
Visually, it is exquisite. The animation, particularly in 4K, literally pops off your screen. It is films such as Heavy Metal that make one happy with oneself thrilled that you invested in a 4K television and Blu-ray player. Those were created for moments exactly like Heavy Metal. To say that the animation is richly drawn is frankly too tame of a descriptor of what animators achieved with this film. It set the standard for animation for film that can still be felt today, 41 years later.
Included with the 4K SteelBook release is the sequel to the film, simply called Heavy Metal 2000. This is the first time that the turn of the century sequel has been made available on Blu-ray!
The 4K Blu-ray SteelBook is presented with Dolby Vision. It was reviewed as filmmakers worked closely with the producer of the first film who knows a thing or two about movies and hits—Reitman.
Heavy Metal 4K also is like a rebirth sonically as the release is unleashed to the world in speaker-shaking Dolby Atmos which not only enhanced the classic music, but those sound effects have never, ever, felt so real.
There are a few new bonus features included in the Heavy Metal SteelBook 4K. The first is Heavy Metal: A Look Back. Not only does it feature reflections on the experience by folks such as Reitman, but also context provided by superfans Kevin Smith (Clerk) and Norman Reedus of Walking Dead fame. There are also a few surprise guests that we will not be mentioned here.
The Heavy Metal Blu-ray disc includes featurettes that were previously included in the film’s Blu-ray release, including:
- Original Feature-Length Rough Cut with Optional Commentary by Carl Macek
- Imagining Heavy Metal Documentary
- Deleted Scene
- Alternate Framing Story with Commentary.
- The Heavy Metal 2000 Blu-ray includes the following special features:
- Julie Strain: Super Goddess
- Voice Talent
- Animation Tests
- Animatic Comparisons
In summation, Heavy Metal (and to a slightly lesser extent) 4K is worth the upgrade if you already have the film in your collection and if you don’t—well, what better reason to add it to your home library right now.
There’s a reason that Heavy Metal has a permanent place on our collective pop-culture radar—it pushed the envelope.
Film Grade: A
Bonus Features: A