Wizards

Rating:
Summary: "They've killed Fritz!"
Review: Wizards (1977) aka War Wizards (the name was changed at the behest of George Lucas as he thought two movies released at the same time by the same studio with war in the title, his being Star Wars, would have been off-putting to movie goers) written and directed by Ralph Bakshi, was certainly a departure from some of his previous adult animation works, Fritz the Cat (1972) and Heavy Traffic (1973), but provided Bakshi the opportunity to show he could create a animated feature for all viewers, young and old, that spoke to the viewer on intelligent terms. Were all viewers ready to hear what he had to say? No, and given the subsequent release of Star Wars (like two weeks later) Wizards, which had been enjoying a great amount of success, got pushed out of theaters to allow for space for George Lucas' epic space opera. With this release of Wizards on DVD, maybe now his film will garner the recognition it deserved so long ago.

The story goes that the Earth gets consumed in apocalyptic fire as man unleashes his most terrible achievement upon himself, and many years after his destruction, various forms of life begin to come forth, including fairies, elves, pixies along with mutants, beings once humans but changed over thousands of years of exposure to radiation. Almost all technology is gone, wiped from the face of the Earth, and, in its' place, magic has prospered. Born of the same mother are two brothers who become powerful wizards, one good, Avatar, and the other evil, Blackwolf. After a tremendous battle, Avatar vanquishes Blackwolf, but not before Blackwolf issues a statement that indicates he will not go quietly into that good night.

Blackwolf, now residing in the poisoned lands with the mutants and nasty things, puts together a massive army, but one lacking proper motivation, and, subsequently, they are easily defeated any time they are sent forth into battle. Tired of his inability to advance proper on his enemies and gain ground, Blackwolf commands that his followers dig up once forgotten technology, hoping to find aid within the scattered remnants of the powerful technology of old. His salvation comes in the form of propaganda films created by the Germans during WWII. Likening himself to the leader of the German forces during this past conflict, Blackwolf uses the films to not only motivate his troops, but to instill fear and dread among his enemies, showing the films in the sky during the battles.

This prompts Avatar, his female fairy charge Elinore, the leader of the Elves named Weehawk, and Blackwolf's captured/converted assassin robot re-named peace, to embark on an adventure to discover the source of Blackwolf's new power, and destroy it. Can this heroic group effectively end Blackwolf's reign of terror and end his powerful war machine before all is lost? There's a nice bit of irony at the end, one that really suited the feature.

So, is the film any good? I have read many opinions that will tell you it's not, and I can understand why this film would put some off, but I really enjoyed the movie. Bakshi's goal, as I understood it, was to create an animated feature with heart, one that didn't talk down to its' audience, as do other animated features released by other companies, i.e. Disney, do at times. His animation style definitely unconventional, is certainly distinctive, and swims with realism, despite the surface superficialities. I really loved how he incorporated live action footage into the film, enveloping it with animation, creating an eerie superimposed background to various scenes within the movie. The film was rated PG at the time of it's release, so I would be wary of showing it to younger viewers, but I think it's a really wonderful alternative full of heart to the shiny, happy, uber-clean, product tie-in animation put out by the larger profit-driven studios. There's nothing wrong with wanting to make a profit, certainly, but sometimes it seems like these films tend to cater to the lowest common denominator, and be more contrived to make money rather than entertain. The animation may seem crude, disturbing, and misogynistic at times, but this is animation with the sugar coating peeled away, mirroring elements within our society. Do people want to see this in an animated feature? Maybe not, but I enjoyed it, but may find myself hard presses to recommend it to all but the more discriminating viewer.

The picture looks really good here in wide screen anamorphic, and there are some wonderful special features including a commentary track by writer/director Ralph Bakshi, theatrical trailers and TV spots for the film, a still gallery with conceptual drawings, and a featurette titled 'Ralph Bakshi: The Wizard of Animation'. This provides a wonderful look into the making of Wizards, and Bakshi also provides tons of background on himself, how he got started, his difficulties and successes within the animation business, his motivations for his films, his contempt for animation that talks down to audiences, and his experiences with various individuals during his career. This is the only featuette he's doing for any of his releases, mainly due to his affinity for the project. Some of his comments, especially the ones hinting towards various conspiracies leveled at him, make him sound a little nutty, but make for entertaining viewing. All in all, an excellent release of a great little animated film that went against the conventional grain. Also, keep an ear out for a voice appearance by Mark Hamill as Sean, king of the fairies.

Cookieman108

Rating:
Summary: Whoa Dude
Review: So like, the other night my friend Steve pulls out his film projector and he like, had these totally smokin old film reels. We stayed up all night watching Wizards, Heavy Metal, and The Wall. We were so stoked. Tommorrow we're gonna go to the roller skating rink where they're havng an all night disco par...tey. This movie is totally rad. Don't be a turkey. Check it out.

Rating:
Summary: Bakshi As A Film Artist is Finally Recognized
Review: From the time I first saw Ralph Bakshi's animated film "Wizards," I was hooked on him. I was in college and discovered a VHS copy of the film at a local video store. I was so blown away, I continued to try to watch all of his films including "Fritz the Cat," "Heavy Traffic," "Coonskin" (aka Streetfight) etc. What I realized was that Bakshi is an artist using a medium that traditionally has been set aside for Children. "Wizards" is a great example of his creativity and his no "BS" approach to film as art. The dialogue is natural and to the point. The style is jarring and varied. The characters are always interesting, and the story is actually more complex than it seems. Magic is a metaphor for the "soul" and the human spirit which is in contstant war with technology.

This long awaited DVD presentation is nothing short of spectacular. It is presented in an enhanced widescreen format and the picture is brilliant. It has never looked so good. What I really enjoyed about this DVD is the fantastic stories that Ralph Bakshi tells. One truly appreciates his passion for animated film and his great character. I think it is about time he got the respect and acknowledgment he deserves. Thank you FOX for releasing a wonderful film on DVD by a wonderful director. Any movie fan (especially avant-garde fans) should check this out.

Rating:
Summary: Another Classic hits the DVD collection
Review: If you are into classic anti-war movies....this is one for the collection. No, it is not to the standards of today's animation. No, it is not to the standard of most animation over the last 2 decades, but unless you understand the reason for the darkness behind the irony of the plot this movie will probably not be your cup of tea. Interstingly, I watched it with others spanning three generations. All three got the message ..... there is always someone trying to take freedom and liberty from others and unless good men and women stand up to them, evil wins.
If I have any complaint it is that the manufacturer of the DVD did not do a very good job focusing the introduction. Once past that, all was fine. Also, with DVD there should have been some special feature beyond commentary that places the movie in contect to the time and seasons it was created to be a commentary on. I guess that is why i reduced it one star.

Rating:
Summary: It's about time
Review: Wizards is one of those movies that tends to divide animation lovers. Some may criticize its lack of depth or the amateurish look of its rotoscoped sequences. Others find the movie intriguing. One thing you can never accuse Bakshi of though, is being bland. His movies get people talking and I feel that's the most important quality any filmmaker or animator of any worth can have. That being said, Wizards is a unique romp into a post-apocalyptic Earth now dominated by magic which was supplanted by technology. The good vs. evil themes are simplistic, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Good usually triumphs over evil in fantasy works and Wizards is no exception. Bakshi's interview on this DVD is interesting and worth watching as well. Wizards has finally made it to DVD thanks to fan support, and its arrival is well-deserved.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastical throw-back
Review: I have to say that I'm biased because I was raised with this film and have always enjoyed watching it, so I read very different meanings into a lot of the ideas presented. To view it with the eyes of a child does require a certain strength of constitution - sensitive children ought not to watch this film, but for others, it will definately provoke the asking of questions about what certain things mean, what a lot of the symbolism refers to, and what the story is really about. At the very least it's entertaining for children who enjoy fantasy and sci-fi, but if the kids are too young to watch or read The Lord of the Rings, they should not watch this. For adults, however, it's definately a fantastical throw-back to the third quarter of the 20th century and the sub-conscious feelings of a generation. The visual aspect is interestingly done, both beautiful and perplexing, with the beginning of animation special effects evolution accenting the traditional style. Adults will get the jokes about politics and religion, and hopefully enjoy Avatar's soft cynicism. A good movie, best when you and your kids are in a slightly odd mood.

Rating:
Summary: Elfquest vs Vietnam
Review: Obviously the remnants of the anti-Vietnam sentiment, but still an interesting story to watch. The artisty is remisicent of Elfquest, but the storyline is a little slow. The still art while the narrator advances the story is annoying. I've been told that Bakshi, (already successful making the Fritz the Cat cartoons), wanted to make an animated Lord of the Rings. His backers said that they needed to see that an animated work about elves aimed at adults would succeed, so he made Wizards.

Rating:
Summary: Old facism in a new future
Review: Wow. How long has it been since I've seen this film? 20 years ago as a kid on The Movie Channel and ten years ago rented. I thought this would never get out to DVD. The story of an nuclear apocolypse ravaged world that has recreated the earth from society as we know it today into a fantasy/future world. Those who do not serve technology are assured death. Brothers Blackwolf and Avatar stand on opposing sides. Avatar is a wizard of peace while his brother Blackwolf yerns for domination. Blackwolf devises the ultimate plan to control society by finding and using old relics from a dark period in 20th century history. Need I mention it?

With great animation coupled with old grainy film, this film is definately a rarity of adult-oriented animated cinema by Ralph Bakshi, director and creator of "Fritz The Cat" and "Coonskin". Bakshi's work stirred controversy long before Toshio Maeda shook up the anime world with the cult-classic "Urotsukidoji" and "La Blue Girl" stories.

Wizards, while definately not for kids, makes for a great replacement for Bakshi good but unfinished adaptation of "The Lord Of The Rings". With beautiful music and rotoscope visuals coupled with actual film footage, Wizards is definately a cult classic for many a DVD collector.

Rating:
Summary: Mildly amusing film that I will never buy new.
Review: (...)

And then there's Wizards.

The Character of Avatar is (in personality) uncomfortably close to Vaugn (sp?) Bodé's Cheech Wizard. The World background, character design, and large sections of the story closely resemble a longer work of Bodé's; Strontium 90. If Bodé's heirs and assigns ever recieved one thin dime from the movie, I never heard about it.

This is one of my wife's favorite films, so we compromise. I'll put up with it in the house, but we buy it used. Until I am authoratatively told otherwsie I must assume that Bakshi doesn't deserve any remuneration.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating
Review: The thing I have always liked about this film is the story itself. Though full of your standard fantasy characters (wizards, fairies, mutants, elves and so on) the story is completely unique. It consists of a post-apocalyptic world set more than 2 million years after the planet was nearly destroyed by a nuclear holocaust. The humans were mutated into the race that inhabits the radioactive lands such as Scorch, and the pure lands, such as Montagar, are inhabited by the returned Faerie races. There is a war between these lands, the Scorch side ruled by the evil wizard Blackwolf, who uses technology and ancient records to recreate Nazi Germany (complete with strange mutant creatures with German accents), and the Montagar side ruled by Blackwolf's brother Avatar, who uses natural magic and the power of the earth. Like any apocalyptic story, it's strange and haunting, and draws you in at the first instant. I particularly like the lady they picked to narrate. She has a perfect hypnotizing voice for such a tale. Other clever bits and pieces show up, like the holy temple with the alter accented by an ABC logo. I only give the film four stars because of the incredibly boring battle scenes. The mixture of mediums is indeed interesting, but after five minutes of blacked-out medieval warriors riding by who you're supposed to believe are deformed mutant forces, you begin to wonder when they're going to get back to the actual story. I've watched this movie over and over again, but I always end up fast-forwarding through those parts. I wish Bakshi had not done things like that. You see the same stuff in his LOTR cartoons. Nevertheless, in spite of that flaw, it is a unique production, we worth viewing time and time again just to see all the tiny things added that make the world within the story both engaging and believable.