Ralph Bakshi's "Wizards": Animated Weirdness - Worth the Trip?

Okay, so I finally got around to watching Ralph Bakshi's Wizards (1977). I've been slowly working through Bakshi's filmography because, well, he's a friggin' auteur, even if his stuff is... inconsistent. I knew going in it would be bizarre, but WOW. It’s a post-apocalyptic fantasy where these elf twins inherit their mother’s legacy, and one of them is pure evil. Blackwolf, I think his name was, ends up finding old Nazi propaganda and weapons and uses them to wage war. Seriously, Nazis in a fantasy movie. Only Bakshi, right? The rotoscoping is definitely something. Sometimes it’s really effective, adding a gritty realism to the battle scenes. The animation itself can be a bit uneven – some scenes are gorgeous, others look kinda rushed. The fairy queen, Elinore, had some great design features. But man, there are parts, especially when they're using the rotoscoped live-action footage, that look straight-up wonky. I still got into it, though. The film has this really strong theme as a warning against fascists and the misuse of technology. It's a little heavy-handed, maybe, but I respect the message. What really hooked me was the world-building. The mix of magic, technology, and mythology makes it unique. There were moments that felt epic and some that were unintentionally hilarious – the robot assassin Peace always gave me the creeps. Definitely not a perfect film, and honestly, I think it’s aged a little strangely, and the voice acting can be kinda rough. Overall, I kinda dug it. If you're into experimental animation and don't mind a bit of weirdness (and a LOT of ham-fisted allegory), then give Wizards a shot. Just be prepared for some janky visuals and a plot that's all over the place. Definitely a Bakshi experience. Now, on to American Pop!