Review: 'The Spine of Night' is a nostalgic throwback
Posted Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at 11:50 AM Central
by John Couture
If the names Ralph Bakshi and Frank Frazetta mean something to you, then The Spine of Night is probably already on your shelf. If you know what rotoscoping is, then you might want to check it out. If you loved films such as Wizards, Fire and Ice, and Heavy Metal, allow me to introduce you to your new obsession.
One thing that I've come to understand about these types of films is that they come with a hardcore fan base. I remember being introduced to these classic rotoscoped films in college and perhaps it had to do with other "mind-altering" circumstances, but I recall being blown away by the unique animation style and compelling fantasy stories.
We've certainly seen more rotoscoped (a process of animation where the individual frames are traced from live-action sources) films in the last 30 years, but they have only seen moderate success overall. Of course, the technique isn't limited solely to animation as the process has been used in special effects for live-action films for decades. In fact, almost every big CG film these days uses rotoscoping to one extent or another.
And yet, there still remains something alluring about these purely rotoscoped animated films that resonate with an audience. Perhaps it's the underlying familiarity with the animated mask that speaks to a more primal version of us.
This epic fantasy tale, about the history of a land that never was, begins when an ambitious young man steals forbidden knowledge from a sacred plant. He falls to its darker temptations and in so doing, unleashes ages of suffering onto mankind. As his power grows over the years, it falls to people of different ilk and cultures to attempt to stop him. Among those who stand against him are a daring tomb-robber, star-crossed lovers, a maniacal necromancer, winged assassins, and an undying guardian.
Going into the film, I was struck at just how much The Spine of Night is an homage to the Bakshi and Frazetta classics. While the story is unique with a more violent edge, you can certainly see the influence from their predecessors in every frame.
If there's one actor whose voice is perfectly suited for this type of film, it's Richard E. Grant. I've recently become a massive stan for him over the last couple of years and his dulcet tones set the tone perfectly and add a bit of mystique to his character (The Guardian).
The story is told across several different time periods with the same mysterious blue flower that brings power and destruction to those lucky (?) enough to hold it. The brilliance of the film comes across during its most brutal sequences which, to be honest, are quite horrific in animated form.
Don't be mistaken, this isn't a film for the kids. Naturally, my own kids took a look at the artwork and were intrigued, but I knew better. Of course, my wife was also quick to put a kibosh on them being tortured in their nightmares for months as well. She's a smart woman.
No, this is an adult cartoon made for and intended to be enjoyed by adults who appreciate more complex story arcs and gratuitous violence that Conan only hinted at. And yet, filmmakers Philip Gelatt and Morgan Galen King aren't simply content to give you a fantasy gorefest. No, they also use the film to touch upon social injustice during a rather prescient arc concerning a young, Black female librarian.
While this moment is brief in the overall arc of the film, it demonstrates the ability and willingness for this genre to not only satiate its fan base but also appeal to those with more discerning tastes. The Spine of Night was a pleasant surprise as I was sure that my own palate has become too refined over the years that my attention span wouldn't hold still long enough to enjoy it.
And that's the best selling point of this film. It's not only a visual smorgasbord of delectable treats, but it also tickles the fabric of the mind. If you're looking for a trippy excursion to the further reaches of power and knowledge, then book your voyage on The Spine of Night tonight.
The Spine of Night is now available on 4K UHD Steelbook, Blu-ray and DVD.
