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"Heavy Metal" from 1981 is a Canadian-American animated science fiction/fantasy film directed by Gerald Potterton and produced by Ivan Reitman and Leonard Mogel. The movie is based on the popular adult magazine of the same name, which features sci-fi/fantasy stories with adult themes. The movie is an anthology of stories that are all set in a dystopian future world. The stories are linked together by a glowing green orb known as the Loc-Nar, which serves as a powerful and malevolent force that permeates all the stories within the film. The individual stories that make up the film are based on stories that have appeared in the Heavy Metal magazine over the years.

The film has a unique animation style that combines traditional hand-drawn animation with rotoscoping, a technique that involves tracing over live-action footage to create realistic movement. The result is a visually stunning film that combines science fiction and fantasy elements with a distinctly adult edge.

One of the key themes of "Heavy Metal" is the idea that technology has the power to both create and destroy. The film's dystopian future world is one where technology has advanced to a point where it is completely immersive, but it has also led to societal collapse and destruction. The stories within the film all explore different aspects of this theme, from the dangers of unchecked military technology to the sinister side of virtual reality.

One of the standout aspects of "Heavy Metal" is its soundtrack, which is composed of heavy metal songs by bands such as Black Sabbath, Blue Öyster Cult, and Nazareth. The music complements the film's imagery perfectly, adding to the overall sense of danger and unease that permeates the stories within the film.

The film's voice cast is made up of a variety of actors, with some of the standout performances coming from Richard Romanus as the heroic Harry Canyon, John Candy as the hapless denizen of the afterlife Den, and Joe Flaherty as the evil lawyer who makes a deal with the devil in the segment "B-17."

Despite its adult themes and violence, "Heavy Metal" has become a cult classic in the years since its release. The film's unique animation style, memorable soundtrack, and dark themes have made it a favorite among fans of science fiction and fantasy animation. Its influence can be seen in a variety of other works of film and television, from "The Venture Bros." to "South Park."

Overall, "Heavy Metal" is an intense and visually stunning film that is not for the faint of heart. Its exploration of the dangers of technology and the potential for destruction in a dystopian future world make it a thought-provoking work of animation that has stood the test of time.

Heavy Metal is a 1981 animated movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 51.