Heavy Metal 2000

Director(s) - Michael Coldewey (The Fearless Four) and Michael Lemire (Spirou, The Little Flying Bears)

Starring - Billy Idol (The Doors, The Wedding Singer), Michael Ironside (Scanners, Top Gun), and Julie Strain (Grass Hook Massacre, HorrorTales.666)

Release Date - 2000

Genre - Sci-Fi/Adventure

Tagline - "Flakked, stacked, and action packed"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was in middle school I remember seeing copies of Heavy Metal 2000 pop up at my local video store.  I had seen the original a few years prior but I had no idea a sequel was being released.  Every time I visited Dewey's Video I would look for a copy to rent until it was no longer in the New Releases section then it slipped from my mind.  I never did get to see it and I honestly forgot about it until I received the press release for the steelbook double feature from Sony.  I was quick to request a copy and when it arrived a week or so ago I had to quickly make time for it so I could finally see Heavy Metal 2000.  Like always I want to thank Sony for sending this one my way!

     The film follows a group of space miners who uncover a green shard.  The shard is a piece of the evil orb from the first film.  It possesses one of the miners turning him into an evil psychopath hellbent on ruling the galaxy and uncovering immortality.  After destroying a planet and taking a female hostage, a female survivor begins her journey to stop him and rescue her sister.  

     Heavy Metal 2000 just doesn't hit as hard as the first film but it's decent for a first time watch.  The metal soundtrack is kind of lame with the exception of a few songs and the animation reminded me a lot of films like Atlantis and Titan AE.  It's not bad but it's not as memorable or enjoyable as the original.  The voice acting in this one is actually a little better than the original.  The cast seems to be more in tune with the project and deliver a wide range of emotions that feels genuine at times and forced at others.  The late Julie Strain is fantastic along with Michael Ironside and the rest of the cast.  The supporting cast is solid as well.  They are all inconsistent but leagues above the first film.  The story for this one is more straight forward after dropping the anthology approach.  Honestly, I thought I was going to like this approach but the story doesn't have enough substance to run the length that it does.  I liked the set up and how direct it is but there is not enough meat on the bone so to speak.  It could be trimmed down heavily to improve the pacing and flow.  Finally, I really did like the animation but's not as unique and different as the original film.  It does look like an animated film of the time and lacks any memorable characteristic that makes the original stand out.  Overall, Heavy Metal 2000 is a forgettable sequel that fails to capture any of the magic the first film has.  It has a mostly generic hard rock soundtrack with a few stellar tracks along with a story that doesn't hold your attention.  It's alright for a first time watch but nothing that will stick with you.