Wizards

Rating:
Summary: A good movie if your a huge fan of Ralph Bakshi
Review: Be warned though the animation style will seem very sub par and low budget compared to other cult animation movies like Heavy Metal, Bakshi uses stock footage from films and shades it and adds on things to make it have some sort of animated look, the regular animation looks no better than the saturday morning cartoon animation of the same period.

If your a big stickler for good animation in a film like this you will be dissapointed, especially if you can't get around it's bad look and enjoy the story, sadly that is me, the animation just turned me off in this movie, so much that I couldn't focus on the story.

If you a fan of the Bakshi style of animation you will enjoy this film, like I said if you one of those people that demand good animation plus a good story it will leave you somewhat sour.

Rating:
Summary: Sword and Seventies
Review: This movie is more than a little rough around the edges and definitely a product of its time. That, however, is exactly why it's remained a cult favorite for so long. Wizards is often dismissed as an inferior test run for Bakshi's Lord of the Rings. This is partially true, but 'Wizards' has a much more personal, risky and idiosynchratic nature than 'Lord...' and that's what makes it special. If nothing else (and I'll argue that there's much else) this is a visually stunning example of old school animation taken to decidedly anti-Disney extremes. What it lacks in polish, it more than makes up for in heart and invention.

Rating:
Summary: A Little Trick That Mother Taught Me...
Review: Unless my memory has failed me utterly this film came out just as I was finishing up graduate school. Bakshi was already something of a god to the revolutionarily inclined of my generation, and there was no question but that a group of us were going to see it. We were wowed, enthralled, and heartened by Bakshi's brilliant combination of a strong story and inventive animation back then. And today, years later, I found myself thinking feeling the same way while watching it again.

For three weeks the film was a smash hit, when one of those weird accidents of fate happen and Wizards was pushed of the stage by the arrival of Star Wars. Suddenly Bakshi's fable was relegated to fond memorys, only to reappear in retrospectives and campus theaters. As you will find out when you listen to the excellent Bakshi interview (more of a monologue), Wizards was the film dearest to the artists heart, the one he felt was his best accomplishment.

Despite its rough language, partial nudity, and high level of violence, Bakshi though of this as a children's tale, albeit one that hewed closer to the true than the sugar coated fantasies that were coming out of Disney's studios. Set in far post apocalyptic times, two brothers are born to a queen of the fairies. One at distorted mutant (Blackwolf) and the other normal (Avatar), both potent wizards. The inevitable clash between then happened, and this is the story of the end of a 3,000 year struggle between the two over the fate of the world.

The story shifts between the two wizards. First the machinations and plots of Blackwolf, as he unearths archaic Nazi technology and turns it into an weapon designed to erase the magical from the world. Then the journey of Avatar and two elvish friends, Elinore and the warrior Weehawk, who are seeking the source of Blackwolf's power.

The story is told with a deft hand as both the narrator and the characters use humor more than dramatic horror to bring the lessons of the film home. The horror, especially that of the battlefield and the aftermath of war is never far behind. In fact it is the these grim scenes that Bakshi displays some of his greatest genius in illustration, using stock footage, illustration, and collage to build an unnerving context.

Even years later, jaded by many hours watching anime, this film still works artistically, and works well. In addition, its messages about the risks of over-dependence on technology and the inevitable losses of war ae just as fresh now, if not fresher. Bakshi was right, Wizards is his best work.


Rating:
Summary: Late night/Drive in fun
Review: This is a cool grade B film that is best enjoyed in some altered state of mind. I like the psychadelic vibe and heartily recommend a bag of shrooms or a phat J to go with this film.

Rating:
Summary: Midnite Madness!!!
Review: A movie lost between others, this feature used to be a staple "Midnight Show" along with Clockwork Orange & Rocky Horror. Its a simple tale that is easy to follow and exemplifies one of the oldest lessons learnable. Those who choose to forget the past are doomed to repeat it. As the evil wizard comes across ancient film of the 3rd Reich, he sees the discipline & motivation as a way to train his own (formerly inept) army. But the world (post apocolypse) has become a better, quieter, more beautiful place & most folks don't want to change. Enter the younger, seemingly simple wizard brother to "fix" the problem once and for all.
Simple to follow, an easy movie to enjoy with friends/family or even alone. There are scores of KeyNotes throughout the movie to base a college level thesis on... but as a linear story, the less you attempt to "make something mean something else" the more you'll enjoy the ride. PEACE BABY!!

Rating:
Summary: Weird, horrible, funny, enthralling
Review: In this 1977 classic, Ralph Bakshi takes us on to an Earth millions of years after a nuclear holocaust. In this new world, humans are reduced to strange mutants, while elves and fairies have returned to claim the better parts of the world. And now, the elf queen has given birth to two sons - Avatar who grows up to be a good wizard, and Blackwolf who grows up to be an evil wizard indeed. But, when Blackwolf begins collecting the old, outlawed technology to lead the mutants in an attack on the lands of the elves, Avatar, along with several allies, sets out to stop him.

OK, I hardly know where to begin with this one. On the positive side, Ralph Bakshi used a number of animation techniques together, which produced some striking effects. There is a lot of emotion in this movie, plus a lot of action and humor. On the negative side, the real weakness of the movie is a lack of plot. Scenes tumble out, often without linking to each other, or to the overall story. Plus, the raw violence, coupled with the suggestively drawn female characters makes it unsuitable for younger viewers.

But, that said, I did enjoy this movie. If you want to see a weird, horrible, funny, enthralling cartoon movie, then this is the movie for you.


Rating:
Summary: Wierd and fascinating, a different kind of fantasy
Review: Unlike Ralph Bakshi's fantasy flop "Lord of the Rings", which was WAY over the top and just plain hilarious, this movie deserves some points for its strange vision of war and fantasy. The characters are quite interesting, and the background art is amazing. Avatar is a likeable character, as are the other lead roles. Also, the character and world design is excellent and very creative. Unfortunantly, flaws like corny dialogue and a few dumb moments may turn some from this gem from the 70s.
A warning to parents and kids: though touted as a "children's story", this movie has substanial gun violence, some blood, some nudity, and mild language, though they are all animated and cartoonish.
Animations fans should take a look at this oddity in animation. Interesting fact: The voice of one of the lead fairies is none other than Mark Hamill of Star Wars fame. Also, Star Wars was released very soon after Wizards.