Change Your Image
mlarowe
Reviews
Stripperella (2003)
Sexy, ridiculous fun
This is not Shakespeare. This is not Frank Miller. This show has plot-lines and characters worthy of a sexed-up version of Batman back in the '70s. I loved it.
As far as animation goes, both sets of character designs are on par with the good stuff your kids (and some of you grown ups) watch on Saturday morning. It's a lot better than what I used to watch, and I'm not that old. The voice talent is great and the writing is clever, not taking itself too seriously but not leaving gaping plot-holes that can't be explained with the shows own established logic.
So, just to warn, the DVD collection does, in fact, have nudity. There is more in the earlier episodes, as a side note. Characters are intentionally gimmicky and not particularly multi-dimensional, making the show easy to pick up and enjoy no matter what episode you're on. The plots, villains, and every other aspect of the flavor is an eerily accurate parallel of Saturday morning cartoons. And the star's influence shines through with the overwhelming amount of animal-rights pushing that happens.
All the clichés are there, and all the jokes. There's nothing not to love except that not enough people watched. Put the kids to bed, grab the wife/husband/whatever and enjoy.
Heavy Metal (1981)
Pure flavor
People watching Heavy Metal for the first time with on prior knowledge of the magazine or the basic concept of the movie, like me, will undoubtedly give you mixed reviews.
Some will love the violence, sex, humor and all-around edginess. Some will hate the animation (which is good in some instances and frustrating at its worst). The degree of nudity seemed a bit intense when I began watching it, but I quickly adapted to this stylistic choice.
On its own, it isn't a particularly good movie. Its Tarentino narrative style and dropped-in-the-middle exposition can't help but upset if you're not expecting it. The reason the film is called Heavy Metal isn't even readily apparent (unless you've done your research and discovered that it is, in fact, based off of something else).
But, if you're willing to look past those things that irk cinema fans, and if you picked up this little cult piece you probably are, either being an animation fan or just a free spirit, it's a rather satisfying film. The emotions and ideas of the film come together if you are willing to take some of the other elements with a grain of salt. Some people may hate it, others herald it as a masterpiece. I just think it's so bad it's good. That warrants it a 7 in my book.