Ralph Bakshi is one of the true icons of animated film…ADULT animated film, that is. Known for his edgy, inner-city-flavored feature-length cartoons like FRITZ THE CAT, HEAVY TRAFIC, COONSKIN, and AMERICAN POP, Bakshi has also had a strong interest in fantasy. The most famous example of his foray into fantasy was his uneven version of LORD OF THE RINGS (1978).
Debuting in theaters in 1983, FIRE AND ICE was a fairly conventional sword-and-sorcery tale, along the lines of Governor Arnold’s CONAN THE BARBARIAN. Employing legendary fantasy artist Frank Frazetta, as well as a team of comic writers, Bakshi’s epic tale of good versus evil is compelling, yet the film’s lush animation and visuals outweigh the somewhat predictable story. The story revolves around two opposing forces. There is the good, in the form of the lava-laden land of Fire Keep, led by King Jerol with his scantily clad—and anatomically correct—daughter, Princess Teegra. Then there’s the Evil Ice Lord Nekron, and his treacherous mother—both hell-bent on world domination. There are also a couple of renegades, who fight for the good side: Larn, a blond Ken-doll in loincloth, whose village has just fallen victim to Nekron’s deep freeze; and a mysterious and solemn warrior called Dark Wolf, who is a bad-ass with the bayonet. Falling somewhere between David Carradine and Batman, he’s one of the more interesting characters to watch as he slices Nekron’s Orc-like goons to pieces. Bakshi’s use of graphic violence and titillating overtones are far from politically correct, but serve well in adding more color to the mix.
This new 2-disc edition courtesy of Blue Underground is first rate. The film has been remastered in high definition, making the lush graphics and landscapes really pop. The sound treatment is epic, and the package comes with a second disc loaded with extras, most notably, FRAZETTA: PAINTING WITH FIRE, a featurette showcasing the legendary artist and his iconic work. There are also interviews with Bakshi and some of the artists, plus Misfits singer Glenn Danzig, who shares his thoughts on the film. The set also comes with a 3-D slipcase cover, making it a nice little package.
FIRE AND ICE is not the most original story, but it’s dripping with eye candy, and its exploitation approach and dark imagery make it genuinely entertaining. This deluxe version is a fine tribute to the cult fave.
+ Jim Kaz
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