Rating: 
Summary: Ralph Bakshi's Wizards
Review: While it is certainly not for young children, older teens and adults will get a real kick out of "Wizards". Set in a post-apocalyptic world wrought by radiation due to a nuclear holocaust, most humans have died, and the population consists mainly of elves, fairies, dwarves, and then the mutants. The world is in danger from the threat of technology, brought upon by the evil wizard, Blackwolf. It is up to his brother, the comical, yet good hearted wizard, Avatar, to stop him. Joining Avatar in his quest are Weehawk, chief of a tribe of warrior elves, Elenor, fairy princess of the land of Montagar, and Peace, a former assassin of Blackwolf's (formerly known as Necron 99) who changes his ways and fights against the threat of technology. The WWII references abound, and there are many more adult-oriented references throughout. It dares to go where cartoons usually do not, making allusions to sex, prostitution, religion, and there's even a rather racist Vietnam reference if you can catch it. However, I still highly recommend "Wizards", because in all it's brashness, it deserves to be seen. What the animation lacks in quality, it more than makes up for in imagination. It's quite funny, and it also delivers some unexpected twists. I personally really like the way it was done. The music really seems to fit the overall style of it, and the wonderful character designs and voice acting really pulls it all together. I definetely recommend it to anyone searching for something creative and different, and I'm sure any fan of cult classics will definetely want to check it out. However, I stress the importance of having an open mind. I think those who are more open to controversial subject matter will be able to better enjoy it, with all it's dark humor and it's alternative-type feel. I think it is something that everyone should see at least once. It deserves more credit than it has been given, and I think that it will really make people stop and think about our world, and about themselves.
Rating:
Summary: Revolutionary
Review: For me, at least, I think the rotoscoping looks really cool. There's a really nice mixed-media quality about the look of the whole feature that's really pretty revolutionary, and Scorch, the evil mutant kingdom, looks super cool. Clearly Bakshi and company didn't have a lot of money to make this film, but they made an awful lot of bold choices with the money they did have. Mixing cell animation with still drawings with live action and rotoscoped images is very powerful and quite beautiful. It would have been nice if the cell animation had the character design details that you see in the stills (which have a very Pini-like character), but, alas, there wasn't much enough money for that (much like his LOTR that came out the next year after Wizards).
Are there some cheesy moments? Sure, I think the line about "They have technology and we only have love" was a little over the top, but the ending, with the trick learned from mother, has stayed with me my whole life. I watched this movie as a kid, and the ending was so powerful an impression that it made me seek out this film as an adult. I admit that I like Scorch and the mutants more than the elves and fairies, but, much like in his LOTR, the rotoscoping techniques and detailed backgrounds tend to work better with evil.
This is an experimental, revolutionary film, much like most of Bakshi's work, and ought to be appreciated on that level. If you're looking for something a little blander, or more homogeneous visually, this isn't for you. But if you're looking for something a little different, a little deeper, I highly recommend this film.When I show this film, generally people are really into it.
Rating:
Summary: Who is Mr. Alan Rapp
Review: Wizards is probably one of the first, best, silliest and most downright fun movies that Bakschi created. ... Anyone who has the least bit of child or sense of fun and wonder will view WIZARDS with pleasure, awe and if they have any imagination at all the greatest respect and joy. This film was a first of its kind really. Mystery, fantasy, funny eroticism, magic and truly scary bad guys who reflect life in the early 21st Centurey through simple good and bad scenarios are all that this film is about. What else is there really to any movie? ... THIS is a great movie, it GETS FIVE BIG STARS AND ANY OTHER ACCOLADE I Could GIVE IT! I will be right on top of the list to purchase it as soon as available.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Songs and Soundtrack .. nice characters
Review: When I first saw WIZARDS, I was enamored by the characters and wowed by the songs and overall soundtrack. I was NOT enthralled at the use of live action rotoscoped (?) nor the use of Nazi images for the battle scenes.
It was obviously a Lord of the Rings styled story..I found out years later it was more then a "style".
But the classic if not cult production has long been overlooked when it comes to Laser Videos, Cable Network Sales, Home Video or even DVD until now.
And the music? It was never released as a LP or CD. Andrew Belling, the composer should be recognized for the beautiful songs and underscoring.
EVERYONE ENJOY!!!
Rating:
Summary: A True classic
Review: One of my favorite Ralph Bakshi films which showcases his transition into the genre of Fantasy. Being released the same year as other blockbusters like Close Encounters, Star Wars, and Sat. Night Fever, this film found its niche with the college crowds which had already embraced Fritz and Heavy Traffic. Bakshi uses the holocaust of the earth and the emergence of elves, fairies, wizards, and dwarves to showcase his allegories on the formation of the state of Israel and the continuing threat of facism, as always Bakshi's films have deeper meanings. In the film the good, cigar chomping, wizard Avatar and his companions make a perilous journey into the dark land of Scortch to destroy his evil twin, Black Wolf (a name used later by the hero in Fire & Ice). In the meantime, Blackwolf has been using his army of mutants to attack the outlying lands which has so far been unsuccessful. He comes up with a plan to have assassins take out the free world's leaders and use a "dream machine" to cause fear and chaos in the enemy by plunging them in the midst of WWII combat, thus firing up his armies and allowing them to march in unapposed. This film was made prior to LOTR (Originally titled LOTR part 1)and many elements of the rotoscoping technique can be seen in early stages before perfecting them for LOTR. Bakshi utilized stock footage for his evil armies from a variety of sources - my favorite being footage from the classic film Zulu. The animation is rougher than in his later films but much smoother than that seen in Fritz, Heavy Traffic, and Coonskin. The backgrounds used are mindblowing - from simple watercolors to some really intricate and psychedelic technical drawings. The typical Bakshi humor is present and dark as usual - ie. the rabbai's, good ol' Larry, and the assassin, Peace (who originally had the Grateful Dead's "Steal your Face" logo on his saddle - only to have it later removed). All in all this film is a visual treat - a little violent and some risque (ala F. Frazetta) costumes for the female characters, but always full of surprises. What we need is fox to get on the ball and release a DVD w/commentary to for this one.
Rating:
Summary: Disturbingly Brilliant
Review: In short, Wizards ain't your typical watered-down Disney classic, nor is it for the faint-of-heard. The anti-hero protagonist, a cigar smoking, dishevled old wizard, comes complete with the sex drive of your typical wildebeest.
Having camped through from 1977, the film is a sample of the best of the decade's independent animation. Incredibly unique (less formulaic than the majority of today's animated films), the film is horrifying, hilarious, and thought-provoking. If the tried-and-true formula for a "successful" movie is all you're open for, then this film will probably not appeal to you; Wizards breaks all the rules. However, if you're big on individuality, you ought to give this gem a chance.
Rating: 
Summary: Animation and Wizards
Review: (...)P>Wizards was on the cutting edge of animation technology when it came out. Computer based animation was just getting started. Bashki used what he had to created some startling effects for the time that it was done. That being said, Wizards is one of my favorite films and I am thrilled that it is coming out on DVD. Why does everyone assume that anything in sci fi/fantasy has to have a deeper meaning? Sometimes a road is just a road. Wizards is a fairy tale, in the truest since of the word, and I mean the original kind of fairy tale, not the Disney cleaned versions of the stories. If you read the original fairy tales, particualarly the Grimms tales, they are not all sweetness and light. Cinderella's step-sisters cut off part of the their feet to fit into the glass slipper. The evil queen tried to kill Snow White 3 times, once with ribbons tied too tight, once with a poison comb and lastly with the poison apple. The original fairy tales were in-your-face morality plays. There was absoutely nothing subtle about them. Wizards follows this same tradition, with all of the bells and whistles, and succeeds admirably at its task.
Rating:
Summary: Ralph Bakshi's Wizards
Review: While it is certainly not for young children, older teens and adults will get a real kick out of "Wizards". Set in a post-apocalyptic world wrought by radiation due to a nuclear holocaust, most humans have died, and the population consists mainly of elves, fairies, dwarves, and then the mutants. The world is in danger from the threat of technology, brought upon by the evil wizard, Blackwolf. It is up to his brother, the comical, yet good hearted wizard, Avatar, to stop him. Joining Avatar in his quest are Weehawk, chief of a tribe of warrior elves, Elenor, fairy princess of the land of Montagar, and Peace, a former assassin of Blackwolf's (formerly known as Necron 99) who changes his ways and fights against the threat of technology. The WWII references abound, and there are many more adult-oriented references throughout. It dares to go where cartoons usually do not, making allusions to sex, prostitution, religion, and there's even a rather racist Vietnam reference if you can catch it. However, I still highly recommend "Wizards", because in all it's brashness, it deserves to be seen. What the animation lacks in quality, it more than makes up for in imagination. It's quite funny, and it also delivers some unexpected twists. I personally really like the way it was done. The music really seems to fit the overall style of it, and the wonderful character designs and voice acting really pulls it all together. I definetely recommend it to anyone searching for something creative and different, and I'm sure any fan of cult classics will definetely want to check it out. However, I stress the importance of having an open mind. I think those who are more open to controversial subject matter will be able to better enjoy it, with all it's dark humor and it's alternative-type feel. I think it is something that everyone should see at least once. It deserves more credit than it has been given, and I think that it will really make people stop and think about our world, and about themselves.
Rating:
Summary: ROTOSCOPING AT IT'S BEST
Review: Finally, my favorite Ralph Bakshi movie puts in an appearance on DVD. It's surprising that it took this long considering that most of his other films are already out on DVD. I can't count the number of times I've see it as a midnight show at the old Greenbelt Mall theatres or as half of a double feature at the late Key Theater in College Park. Of course, I snapped up the VHS version when it first came out in that format and logged even more hours visiting Montagar and Scortch with Avatar, Elinore, Peace (Necron 99), Weehawk, and Blackwolf. And now, another format that finally includes some extras. The highlight here (apart from the movie itself) is the 34 minute featurette in which Bakshi talks about his other films, Disney, the Lucas/Hamill connection, and, of course, Wizards. An essential addition for any Ralph Bakshi or animation fan. Rotoscoping at it's best.
Rating: 
Summary: Split down the middle
Review: Wizards captivated me when I first saw it in theaters years ago. It is well put together and a work of artistic achievement, wonderful in its day. The story is entertaining and still has a degree of appeal. On that basis I would give it 5 stars. I just finished watching the DVD, however, and I was horrified. It is still an achievment but the message it conveys, that science and technology are intrisically evil, is an evil message in and of itself. On that basis I would give it only a single star. Splitting the difference, I arrived at 3 stars. The film is well worth seeing. It is entertaining, promotes peace, justice and worthy goals. It rightfully condemns real evils. In doing so, however, it also wrongfully condems many laudable aspects of life. I for one, am glad that to not be yoked to a plow in order to scratch out a meager existence.
|
