Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn (1983)

Director:

Charles Band

Writer:

Alan J. Adler (writer)

Release Date:

19 August 1983 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Sci-Fi | Action | Romance

Tagline:

The Destruction of Jared-Syn

Plot:

A seeker named Dogen rescues Dhyana after her father is murdered by the evil Jared-Syn. To avenge her father's death...

Plot Keywords:

3 Dimensional | Space | Independent Film

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Jeffrey Byron	...	Dogen
Michael Preston	...	Jared-Syn (as Mike Preston)
Tim Thomerson	...	Rhodes
Kelly Preston	...	Dhyana
Richard Moll	...	Hurok
R. David Smith	...	Baal
Larry Pennell	...	Aix
Marty Zagon	...	Zax
Mickey Fox	...	Poker Annie
J. Bill Jones	...	Baal's Lieutenant
Winston Jones	...	Chimera
Mike Jones	...	Miner #1
Michael S. Walter	...	Miner #2
Rick Militi	...	Miner #3
Speed Stearns	...	Cyclopean Intruder

Also Known As:

Metalstorm (USA) (short title)

Runtime:

84 min | West Germany:77 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Iceland:12 | Australia:PG | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Finland:K-12 | UK:PG | USA:PG | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Bronson Caves, Bronson Canyon, Griffith Park - 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Albert Band International Productions Inc.

Quotes:

[Hurok takes the special mask from Dogen]
Hurok: The two of you took this?
Rhodes: He took it!
[Points at Dogen]
Hurok: Then he lives. You do not.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Prison Ship (1987)

In a galaxy far, far away… stood one man. Ah who cares.

Charles Band… yeah producer/director Charles Band and by that name you should know what you are going to get. Well unless it's your first taste, which if it is, 'Metalstorm' is probably not a great starting point. I wanted to like this one more, but by the end I was completely bored with only the saving grace being the performances of an amusing Tim Thomason (who definitely spiced things up) and Richard Moll dressed in make-up. This cheap b-grade post-apocalyptic Sci-fi fling wears its influences for everyone to see, but instills no personality. Aside from the western touches (and that standoff scene is actually well done), it was namely something out of 'Star Wars' and obviously 'Mad Max 2', which you could say Jeffery Byron's ranger character is easily patterned on Mel Gibson's leather-decked road warrior of those films. Nonetheless Bryon's stiff impression is no match. Also appearing with amount of interest is a very beautiful Kelly Preston, but she does quite little than titillate. Mike Preston as the head villain Jared-Syn left a lot to be desired, as I found him laughably nonsensical in a plastic sense.

Although why we watch these films is for some senselessly cheap fun and lousy exchanges. The latter was right on the mark with the dialogues, however sadly I found the junky action quite lackluster and sloppy with a poorly shot desert wasteland backdrop. It feels in slow-motion (and Brand even uses that technique at times), despite the (unfocused) story keeping things moving. It has its moments (probably just not enough even with the few tripped-out visuals) and the make-up of the fancy dressed mutants are decently executed. I couldn't say the same about the dodgy special effects, which really do come to the front at the end. Richard Band's score is a clunker of sorts.

I didn't find it to be completely awful by any stretch, but more so frustratingly drab and unfulfilled with only some minor flourishes and a chirpy Thomerson.