Wizards, the post-apocalyptic lord of the rings

[Daniel Williamson]

I don't think WIZARDS was a bad movie, Bakshi was test-running his fantasy world so he could make the first two episodes of Lord of Rings into a two hour animated feature him.
I still think Wizards should be remade and there should be a sequel.

[AndyC]

It was an interesting story, a somewhat amusing movie, and really speaks of the time in which it was made. It must have been a groundbreaking film at the time. On the other hand, it also has plenty of examples of just what a lazy animator Bakshi could be. Some of the shortcuts he took were just incredibly bad. As with his Lord of the Rings, there are times when it seems pretty generous to call Wizards an animated film.

One thing jumped out at me the first time I saw Wizards. I grew up watching Star Blazers, which featured the character of Captain Avatar, who had a bushy white beard and eyes that were always hidden under his cap. All you could really see of his face was his nose poking out under the peak. The resemblance to the wizard Avatar is uncanny. Obviously, one of the people who translated Star Blazers when it was imported had seen Wizards and saw the resemblance. It was a good joke, made all the better by having this sudden revelation after having watched Star Blazers for years unaware.

[Flangepart]

Also, diden't the atr style of the original scenes look a lot like Vaughn Bode?

[BoyScoutKevin]

i have always enjoyed most of Bakshi's work, including "Wizards."
Actually, I think he is probably underrated as an animator. If one were to choose the 50 greatest animators of all-time, starting with Winsor McCay putting a pen to paper and creating Gertie the Dinosaur, his name would probably have to be up there. Enjoy!

[Dan DiCenso]

>Also, diden\'t the atr style of the original scenes look a lot like Vaughn Bode?

You noticed that too, huh?  I\'m a fan of Bode\'s art and I often wondered if Bakshi and Bode ever met.  (i.e. Bakshi stealling Bode\'s style for the movie)

Then again, I\'ve read that Wizards inspired Wendy and Richard Pini to go ahead with thier comic book, Elfquest  (And you do see some resemblence between the elves of Wizards and those of EQ)

[Flangepart]

Hummmm....makes sense. Never realised the Pini connection before. The Bode style is mostly in the evil types, but the Elves do look familiure.