FIRE AND ICE. Directed by Ralph Bakshi; written by Roy Thomas and Gerry Conway; produced by Ralph Bakshi and Frank Frazetta for 20th Century Fox. Animated. Rated PG.
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Fire and Ice has a mythic quality about it. The proto-humans around the time of the real Ice Age probably didn't have much story-telling ability. But if they had, they might have invented a story something like this one, to explain the cold weather.
The primitive settlements here are being consumed by rapidly advancing sheets of ice. Whoever manages to escape the physical pressure of the ice is usually done in post-haste by an army of ferocious sub-human creatures.
For this ice age is no natural occurrence. It is the method nasty Lord Nekron is using to conquer the world. Larn is the only survivor of Nekron's attack on his village. This guy has "hero" written all over him. He can survive jumps from dizzying heights by breaking his fall with jungle vegetation and can handle dozens of subhuman attackers with ease.
But Larn isn't the only one with a grudge against Nekron. Teegra is the daughter of Jerold, who rules "Firekeep," the world's last stronghold of decency and warmth, and she's had her own troubles with Nekron's minions.
The look of the animation isn't as innovative here as in some of Bakshi's earlier movies. The characters all look like cartoons, but with nicely varied facial expressions and lifelike movements.
There are some definite problems with Fire and Ice. Teegra is a strong heroine, but spends entirely too much time in semi-pornographic posing. It's also hard to avoid thinking how cold she and the other scantily clad folks must be in Nekron's palace. And there are some scenes that drag a bit, although most of the action is well-paced.
Fantasy buffs will probably enjoy Fire and Ice. These hardy moviegoers have swallowed more improbabilities for less visual reward before. Fire and Ice ranks above average in the genre.
September 7, 1983