Heavy Metal Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A glowing green orb with commitment issues tells a little girl a bunch of barely-related stories about itself, mostly involving boobs and explosions, because… reasons?

🍿 Heavy Metal: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Arrival of the Loc-Nar

The film begins with astronaut Grimaldi returning to Earth in a Corvette after a space shuttle mission. He brings with him a glowing green orb, the Loc-Nar, which he presents to his daughter. This orb quickly reveals its true nature, claiming to be the embodiment of evil and terrorizing the young girl with visions of its influence across the universe.

Anthology of Dark Fantasies

The Loc-Nar proceeds to recount several tales, each depicting its corrupting influence. These segments vary in style and genre, ranging from dystopian futures to medieval-esque fantasy worlds. Each story, while unique, is linked by the presence of the Loc-Nar and its ability to incite violence, lust, and destruction.

Taarna: The Warrior’s Sacrifice

The final story focuses on Taarna, a silent warrior who is summoned to protect a peaceful civilization from a horde of barbarians empowered by the Loc-Nar. She embodies courage and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. The barbarian leader, driven by the evil entity, is a savage force, creating a conflict of strength versus savage evil.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Grimaldi’s Daughter (Caroline Semple): The young girl terrorized by the Loc-Nar, who ultimately becomes the next Taarakian.
• Loc-Nar (N/A): The glowing green orb and the embodiment of all evil, influencing events across different dimensions and timelines.
• Harry Canyon (Richard Romanus): A cynical 21st-century taxi driver who becomes entangled in a dangerous quest for the Loc-Nar.
• Den (John Candy): A nerdy teenager who is transformed into a muscular hero on a distant planet, battling for the Loc-Nar.
• Captain Sternn (Eugene Levy): A devious space rogue whose trial is disrupted by the chaotic influence of the Loc-Nar.
• Taarna (N/A): A silent, fierce warrior who is summoned to protect her world from the evil unleashed by the Loc-Nar.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Loc-Nar: “I am the Loc-Nar!” – The evil orb introduces itself, setting the stage for the stories it will tell.
• Loc-Nar: “I am the sum of all evils.” – The Loc-Nar proclaims its nature to the young girl, establishing its role as a force of corruption.
• Prosecutor: “Are you Captain Lincoln F. Sternn?” – The start of Captain Sternn’s trial where his crimes are listed, showcasing his dubious character.
• Robot: “Are you Jewish?” – The robot inquires about Gloria’s religion after abducting her.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $9,300,000
• Domestic Gross: $546,545
• Worldwide Gross: $547,563

💥 Heavy Metal Reviews

Personal Review

Alright, buckle up buttercups, because Heavy Metal is a TRIP. I first saw this at a friend’s house way too young, and I was simultaneously horrified and completely hooked. The animation is so weird and out there, especially ‘Den’, and the music is just perfect for headbanging. ‘B-17’ scared the crap out of me back then, and it still gives me the creeps! Sure, it’s cheesy and kinda sexist, but it’s also just so unapologetically itself. It’s like a comic book came to life, and then got drunk and started a fight.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of adult animation”
  • “Viewers interested in sci-fi and fantasy”
  • “People who appreciate a classic 80s soundtrack”
  • “Those who enjoy anthology films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Nudity”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Heavy Metal is a visually arresting anthology that pushes the boundaries of animation. While some segments are stronger than others, the film’s overall boldness and unique style make it a cult classic. The soundtrack perfectly complements the edgy, sci-fi fantasy.
• Roger Ebert: “The film’s unevenness is both a strength and a weakness. The animation varies wildly in quality, and not all the stories resonate. However, the soundtrack rocks, and the overall experience is undeniably memorable for its audacity and unapologetic approach to adult themes.
• TV Guide: “Visually stunning and relentlessly entertaining, Heavy Metal offers a wild ride through sci-fi and fantasy landscapes. Its mature themes and explicit content are not for everyone, but for fans of the genre, it’s a must-see.

Audience Reactions

The groundbreaking animation and mature themes shocked and delighted audiences.: Viewers appreciate the film’s unique style, bold storytelling, and iconic soundtrack.

The ‘B-17’ segment remains a standout for its horror elements and unsettling atmosphere.: Many consider ‘B-17’ the scariest and most memorable part of the anthology.

Taarna’s silent strength and sacrifice resonate with fans.: Taarna is an iconic female warrior who embodies the film’s themes of courage and redemption.

Overall Consensus: A cult classic animated anthology celebrated for its mature themes, groundbreaking animation, and memorable soundtrack, though opinions are divided on its dated animation and explicit content.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was inspired by the science fiction and fantasy magazine of the same name, ‘Heavy Metal’.”
• “Several different animation studios worked on the various segments, giving each a unique visual style.”
• “Due to the complexity of licensing music from so many artists, the film was unavailable on home video for many years.”
• “A segment called ‘Neverwhere Land’ was cut due to time constraints but included as a bonus feature on later releases.”

🖥️ How to Watch Heavy Metal?

Heavy Metal is available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for streaming availability, as it may also be included with subscription services. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray are also generally available from online retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Heavy Metal, you might like these similar films:

• Rock & Rule (1983): Another animated rock opera from the same era, featuring a quest to prevent a demon from entering our dimension.
• Akira (1988): Shares the adult animation, dark themes, and cyberpunk elements with ‘Heavy Metal’, but with a more coherent plot.
• The Fifth Element (1997): ‘Harry Canyon’ segment served as inspiration for ‘The Fifth Element’.
• Love, Death & Robots (2019): A modern animated anthology series with mature themes, diverse animation styles, and sci-fi/fantasy elements, directly inspired by ‘Heavy Metal’.

🛒 Heavy Metal Related Products

• Heavy Metal: 40th Anniversary Limited Edition: Celebrate 40 years of Heavy Metal with this limited edition set. Includes a Steelbook, bonus content, and exclusive artwork. A must-have for serious fans.
• Heavy Metal Magazine – Back Issues: Own a piece of history with back issues of Heavy Metal Magazine. Featuring groundbreaking art and stories that inspired the film.
• Heavy Metal Graphic Novel Collection: Relive the iconic stories in graphic novel form. Includes ‘Den’, ‘Taarna’, and other classics from the magazine.
• Heavy Metal T-Shirt – Taarna Design: Show your love for the ultimate warrior, Taarna, with this stylish t-shirt. High-quality print and comfortable fit.

🎧 Soundtrack

Heavy Metal features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Heavy Metal” – performed by Sammy Hagar
• “Radar Rider” – performed by Riggs
• “Open Arms” – performed by Journey
• “Mob Rules” – performed by Black Sabbath
• “Veteran of the Psychic Wars” – performed by Blue Oyster Cult
• “Working in the Coal Mine” – performed by Devo

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Taarna Faces The Mutant Leader And Destroys The Loc-Nar | Heavy Metal | Creature Features

Remember Taarna? This clip shows her epic showdown with the Mutant Leader and the Loc-Nar! Seriously, the animation in this scene is mind-blowing, even today.

Blue Oyster Cult – Veteran Of The Psychic Wars (From the movie Heavy Metal))

Want a blast from the past? Check out Blue Oyster Cult performing ‘Veteran of the Psychic Wars’ from the movie. This song is so good, and it sets the perfect tone for Heavy Metal!

✨ Rate