Two major artistic talents, controversial animator / filmmaker Ralph Bakshi ("Fritz the Cat") and renowned illustrator Frank Frazetta conceived this traditional fantasy quest. It doesn't tell a particularly *great* story, necessarily, but it is quite entertaining, and cuts to the chase readily. Its fast pacing results in a slick 82 minute run time, and its classic hand-drawn animation is noteworthy for the way that it was drawn over live action footage, resulting in movement that's more realistic than one might ordinarily see.
A kingdom is in danger of being dominated by power-mad villainess Juliana (voice of Susan Tyrrell, "Forbidden Zone") and her equally demented son Nekron (voice of Stephen Mendel, "Scanner Cop II"). The many "sub human" minions of Nekron abduct Teegra (voice of Maggie Roswell, 'The Simpsons'), the shapely daughter of peaceable ruler King Jarol (voice of Leo Gordon, "The Haunted Palace"). In Teegras' attempt to get back home, she falls in with a lone warrior named Larn (voice of William Ostrander, "Christine"), and he in turn makes friends with a mystical character named Darkwolf (performed and voiced by beefy Steve Sandor, "Bonnie's Kids").
This is all very pleasing to look at, with some inventive design. It's basically on a par with standard live-action versions of this sort of story, except that since it's animated, the filmmakers don't have to worry about trying to pull off effects practically, and they can let their imagination run wild. It's more violent and sexy than some people might expect, but is still tame compared to what one might see in live action. You do have to admire the writers (comic book veterans Roy Thomas & Gerry Conway) for contriving a way to keep Teegra in a bikini for the vast majority of that running time.
You add to that mix some entertaining vocalizations (especially by Tyrrell), and a variety of cool animals and monsters, and it amounts to pretty good entertainment for the fantasy genre.
Seven out of 10.
A kingdom is in danger of being dominated by power-mad villainess Juliana (voice of Susan Tyrrell, "Forbidden Zone") and her equally demented son Nekron (voice of Stephen Mendel, "Scanner Cop II"). The many "sub human" minions of Nekron abduct Teegra (voice of Maggie Roswell, 'The Simpsons'), the shapely daughter of peaceable ruler King Jarol (voice of Leo Gordon, "The Haunted Palace"). In Teegras' attempt to get back home, she falls in with a lone warrior named Larn (voice of William Ostrander, "Christine"), and he in turn makes friends with a mystical character named Darkwolf (performed and voiced by beefy Steve Sandor, "Bonnie's Kids").
This is all very pleasing to look at, with some inventive design. It's basically on a par with standard live-action versions of this sort of story, except that since it's animated, the filmmakers don't have to worry about trying to pull off effects practically, and they can let their imagination run wild. It's more violent and sexy than some people might expect, but is still tame compared to what one might see in live action. You do have to admire the writers (comic book veterans Roy Thomas & Gerry Conway) for contriving a way to keep Teegra in a bikini for the vast majority of that running time.
You add to that mix some entertaining vocalizations (especially by Tyrrell), and a variety of cool animals and monsters, and it amounts to pretty good entertainment for the fantasy genre.
Seven out of 10.