Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn
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| Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn | |
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| Directed by | Charles Band |
| Produced by | Charles Band Albert Band Alan J. Adler |
| Written by | Alan J. Adler |
| Starring | Jeffrey Byron Michael Preston Tim Thomerson Kelly Preston Richard Moll R. David Smith |
| Music by | Richard Band |
| Cinematography | Mac Ahlberg |
| Release date(s) | August 19, 1983 |
| Running time | 84 minutes |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn is a 1983 science fiction movie starring Jeffrey Byron, Michael Preston, Tim Thomerson, Kelly Preston and Richard Moll. It was directed and produced by Charles Band who is possibly better known for his other, rather low-budget scifi and horror films such as The Puppet Master and Trancers series. Parts of Metalstorm were shown in 3-D. There are two versions of this film, the shorter theatrical version, and the rare "extended version" with a voiceover at the beginning helping explain some of the story's back history, and containing extended scenes.
The story was portrayed as a space-age western which combined themes of esoteric sorcery and high technology. Critics have pointed out that the title, "...the Destruction of Jared-Syn", makes little sense since the villain is never destroyed and actually gets away in the end.
Plot: A futuristic lawman hunts down a sorcerer cult leader on a desolate planet.
Tagline: "It's high noon at the end of the universe."
The story is about a space ranger named Dogen (Jeffery Byron), who is in search of an intergalactic criminal with supernatural powers named Jarred-Syn (Michael Preston). He has tracked Syn to the desert planet of Lemuria, whose population lives in scattered mining towns gathering valuable crystals.
Dogen discovers that Syn has posed as the leader of a strange group of nomadic humanoids known as the "One Eyes", decedents of a vanished culture known as the Cyclopians. The nomads are very territorial and have began a "holy war" to drive the human miners off the planet. Syn has incited this jihad to take back their lands, but Dogen realizes that Syn will eventually enslave them all and must stop him at all cost. Syn brings strange powers to his one-eyed warriors, equipping them with red, glowing crystals that drain the life out of touched victims.
Dogen appears out of the wasteland driving a strange vehicle, (which looks like a futuristic SUV). He comes under attack by a "skybike", a flying cycle, piloted by a One-Eye. Dogen manages to destroy the bike and investigates the body of the pilot finding one of Syn's crystals. He notices a strange symbol of a tree engraved on the side.
The next victim of the One-Eyes is a prospector whose young daughter Dhyana (Kelly Preston) witnessed being killed by Baal (R. David Smith), Jared Syn's cyborg son. Baal sprays the man with a strange liquid that sends the man into a nightmarish dream-state where Syn appears and executes him. Dogen comes to investigate the scene finding the frightened girl pointing a gun at him. He convinces her that he is on her side and that it's his mission to find Syn. He asks her if she knows the symbol on the crystal. She indicates that Zax (Marty Zagon), the man who they buy equipment from, might know.
Dhyana takes Dogen to Zax's shop which is located in a cave. Zax begins various equipment tests of the crystal and finally identifies it as a "lifeforce storage" device with some disdain. Dhyana recalls a tale of the ancient Cyclopians who once used such devices. The only power against them is a "magic mask" located in their "lost city". Zax confirms the tale is true stating he once tried to find the city himself. Dogen asks if he'd help him find it, but Zax refuses to get involved. He relents partially explaining that a man named Rhodes could help him. Rhodes lives in Zhor, a nearby mining town. Dogen tells Dhyana to remain here since it could be dangerous, but she insists she come along to avenge her father's death.
Dogen and Dhyana head to Zhor but along the way they encounter a group of vehicles driven by the One-Eyes and commanded by Baal. Dogen manages to shake off a few of the pursuers but they eventually create a road block and force him to stop. There, Baal sprays Dogen with a strange green liquid which paralyses him, however Dhyana manages to drive the nomads off with her laser pistol. Dhyana cares for Dogen throughout the night as he slips in and out of consciousness, however, he enters a dream finding Syn and Baal waiting for him. Dhyana still holds him tightly. Syn tries to pull Dogen away but is unable to do so. Syn states that together they are strong, but he'll separate them.
Dogen awakes from the dream. He is back with Dhyana, but suddenly she feels ill and rises to her feet. She becomes enveloped in glowing energy and disappears screaming and finding herself standing before Syn in his lair. Syn tells her that her warrior is nothing without her. He then holds out a crystal figurine of a creature that appears in the flesh before Dogen at the campsite. The summoned monster fires electric bolts and is immune to Dogen's laser gun, but Dogen shoots a hole in ground and water begins to trickle out. The energy creature steps in the water and "shorts out", and vanishes.
The next morning Dogen arrives at the town of Zhor and finds Rhodes (Tim Thomerson), a washed-up soldier and explorer, drinking in a bar, which is nothing more than a large tent filled with prospectors spending their money away on alcohol. Rhodes denies the story of the lost city claiming it doesn't exist, and refuses to get involved with the One-Eyes.
Dogen leaves but comes across a group of prospectors beating up a captured nomad soldier. They kick the nomad into the streets and Dogen runs to help him. The prospectors then face off with Dogen drawing their weapons and prepare for a shootout. Dogen quickly draws his gun and shoots one of the men before he can get a shot off, but the other blasts Dogen's pistol from his hand. As the second gunman takes aim to finish Dogen off, a blast of laser energy fires from the crowd and takes out the gunman. To Dogen's surprise, he finds Rhodes twirling his smoking pistol. Rhodes says "You're going to be trouble."
Rhodes decides to temporarily help Dogen, stating he'll take him as far as the lost city, but after that he's parting ways. The two head out in Dogen's vehicle and enter Cyclopian territory. They ignore a road marker with the familiar Cyclopian tree engraving that warns them not to enter or face their death. They soon come to a dead end in the road and must continue the rest of the way on foot. Heading up a rocky path they find a valley filled with ruins shrouded in steamy mists produced by bubbling pools of water. They have found the "lost city", but they don't notice movement under the sand below their feet as something slinks its way toward them.
The mists part before them to reveal and ominous statue of a seated being with a single eye. On the being's lap is a stone box. Dogen heads over and opens the box finding the crystal mask just as the legend foretold. Suddenly, Dogen hears Rhodes shout his name. Dogen sees Rhodes being pulled into the sand and rushes to help but finds himself now being pulled down. Just then, a snake-like creature emerges from the ground and bites hold of Dogen's arm as another grabs Rhodes' leg. Dogen struggles to draw his weapon. The snake releases his arm giving Dogen a chance to blast it in the face. The creature screams and moves back into the ground as the second flees into the soil as well. Dogen and Rhodes manage to get out of the sand and make a run back to the vehicle.
As they round a corner they stop in their tracks finding a group of nomad warriors blocking their path with weapons drawn. Their intimidating leader, Hurok (Richard Moll), grabs the mask from Dogen's hand while guards take their weapons. Hurok asks which one of them took the mask. Rhodes quickly points at Dogen stating "He took it!". Hurok smirks at Rhodes and says, "Then he lives. You do not." Dogen admits his companion is being modest and that they both took the mask. Hurok states that nevertheless they will die for trespassing into Cyclopian land. That is their law. Rhodes speaks up again, stating that the Cyclopian law also says that a warrior must be given a chance to accept the challenge in a duel. Hurok smirks and tells Dogen he must meet him in the pit. If he lives, they will go free. Dogen gives Rhodes a look but Rhodes says "Don't worry, you can take him."
Dogen is put in a dueling pit nothing more than a makeshift arena to fight to the death against Hurok. He is given a dagger and strapped to a tether linking him to Hurok to keep him from escaping his opponent. The duel begins with Hurok easily beating down Dogen making him appear overmatched. But Dogen catches Hurok off balance and slices the tether with his blade. Hurok falls to the ground finding Dogen's knife at his throat. Hurok clinches waiting for Dogen to finish him, but Dogen stands and drops his weapon letting Hurok live.
After the duel, Hurok tells Dogen that he is an honorable man and that he and Rhodes can go free. He tells Dogen where to find Jared Syn, stating that he is a powerful war chief who has called them to battle for their lands. Dogen says they seek the same man, for different reasons. Hurok admits that even though Dogen has spared his life, they are still enemies, but he prays they won't have to meet again on the same battlefield.
Elsewhere, Dhyana is still being held in Syn's lair. He takes her outside his tent before a gathering crowd of nomads. He calls them his "brothers" and promises them a new age where they can again rule over their land. He takes Dhyana before a massive crystal and forces her touch it. It begins to glow and emits a distorted drone which sounds like the suffering of hundreds of beings. Syn tells her that the crystal gets its power from the souls he captures, including that of her father. Dhyana is disgusted saying her warrior will come for her.
In the meantime, Dogen and Rhodes drive toward the mountain range that Hurok indicated and soon come across another Nomad encampment. This time it is Baal's group and he quickly orders his men to kill the intruders. A chase begins, as the nomad vehicles pursue Dogen's truck. He manages to evade some of them, driving them into crashing into walls and falling down cliffs. Dogen and Rhodes make good their escape.
The two stop to rest for a moment. Dogen looks over the mask and then places it over his face. He finds himself in a strange place with only the mask and a burning tree. In his hand he finds an axe. He approaches the tree and hacks into it with the axe. The tree moans like the crystal in Syn's camp and trickles a stream of blood. Dogen pulls the mask off his face finding himself back with Rhodes who looks at him curiously. Suddenly, the two hear the voice of Baal, "You're dead, warrior!"
Baal rushes up from nowhere, extending his robotic arm to spray Dogen, but Rhodes pushes him out of the way. A nomad flings a bladed sphere at him which slashes into his forehead. Rhodes falls as Dogen blasts the nomad and rushes Baal. Baal and Dogen struggle with Dogen managing to rip the robotic limb from Baal's shoulder. Baal cries out in agony, but manages to slip away. Dogen goes to help his injured friend. Rhodes is stunned and bleeding but insists he's alright. He tells Dogen to leave him here and find Syn. Dogen promises he'll come back for him.
Dogen runs off following a trail of the green fluid that is leaking from Baal's torn limb. It leads him to Syn's camp where he sees the nomads have gathered. Inside Syn's lair, Baal is being treated for his wounds. He tries to warn his father that the warrior is coming, and that he is too powerful. Syn assures his son that they are in no danger. He has the girl, and the warrior can be defeated. Syn hears commotion outside. Stepping out with Baal he sees Dogen making his way through the crowd. Hurok is there, and steps forward.
Syn announces to his people that the warrior is here to stop them from their goals, but Dogen states that Syn is a criminal and that he has only come for him. Syn orders Hurok to kill Dogen, but Hurok refuses. Baal has heard enough and tries to attack Dogen but Hurok shoves him back demanding the warrior be allowed to speak. Dogen turns to the crowd telling the nomads that Syn is a liar. He just wants their land and the power. They will all become his slaves. The crowd begins consider the words, and some begin to protest Syn. Hurok announces that the warrior speaks the truth and that Syn is a false chief. The crowd starts to riot and shout with anger, but Syn shouts that they are all too late. He has the power of the crystal now and summons fourth a blast of energy from the stone that stuns the crowd.
Syn fires a second blast at Dogen but he deflects it with the mask. Syn fires again, and Dogen deflects the energy protecting the crowd. The blast however hits a dead tree nearby which bursts into flame. Syn points to it as a sign that his power stronger than the warrior. He then focuses his eldrich energy to weaken Dogen. Dogen is paralyzed for a moment but then he sees Dhyana emerge from the shadows behind Syn. She says she is here for him. Dogen shrugs off the spell and deflects another blast from the crystal. Baal then grabs the mask from Dogen's hand and it shatters on the ground. Hurok then grabs Baal and stabs him in the chest. Syn shouts in despair as his son dies. Syn then disappears, teleporting away.
The sound of a skybike alerts Dogen and he sees Syn fly off. He jumps on another bike to pursue. Dogen chases Syn over the mountains and into the desert, but Syn casts another spell, opening an energy portal and gets away. Dogen returns to the nomad camp finding Dhyana safe with Hurok. Dogen says Syn has escaped where Hurok states that he may return in another place and time. Dogen swears that wherever he goes, he'll be waiting for him. Dogen then fires his pistol and destroys Syn's soul crystal.
Dogen and Dhyana leave the camp and walk down a road on foot. The sound of a vehicle coming down the road alerts them, but Dogen sees it's his truck, with Rhodes at the wheel. Rhodes stops and sees Dhyana. He states that he now knows why Dogen was so eager to find Syn's camp. Rhodes tells them to "hop in" he'll take them to town. The trio drive off.
[edit] Trivia
- Actors Jeffery Byron and Richard Moll, as well as some of the road-warrior vehicles used in this movie, are seen once again in Charles Band's 1985 cult sci-fi/fantasy movie The Dungeonmaster.
- Richard Moll had originally shaved his head for his role in this movie. Producers liked the look for Bull, so he continued shaving his head for Night Court.
