Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn (1983)

User Rating:

2.9/10   

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)

I admit it; I tend to enjoy movies of this type.

In this futuristic sci-fi tale, a ranger named Dogen (Jeffrey Byron) seeks to track down a megalomaniac named Jared-Syn (Mike Preston). The bad guy controls a horde of one-eyed henchmen, with a hideout deep in the mountains. The silly plot also involves use and worship of crystals, and an imperiled, sexy young miner named Dhyana (Kelly Preston) whose father was murdered by Syns' young "son" Baal (R. David Smith).

As far as cheap 'n' cheesy sci-fi B cinema goes (and this is *very* cheap 'n' cheesy), it's endurable enough. Maybe it's not very exciting or imaginative or slick, and maybe it's pretty forgettable in the end, but an undemanding viewer of this sort of fare might find it amiable enough. It was filmed in 3-D, at a time when the process was undergoing something of a revival, so if a viewer gets the opportunity to see it that way, that would certainly give it a little extra appeal.

At the very least, I can't completely knock a movie with B-movie favorite Tim Thomerson and Richard Moll in its cast. They're fun, making up for lead Byron, who's hunky and rugged but also on the bland side, and sexy young Preston, yet to really hit her stride as an actress. Larry Pennell is also good in his brief time on-screen.

Richard Bands' music score is enjoyable, and the rural settings are well utilized. The movie moves along well enough, although the ending is unfortunately rather lame.

Lovers of low-tech, low-budget genre movies might enjoy this; it certainly has its heart in the right place, anyway.

5/10