Blu-ray Review: Camp Classic ‘Barbarella’ Demands Better Release

Printer-friendly versionE-mail page to friendPDF version

CHICAGO – “Barbarella” is nearly the definitive camp classic. Mocked upon its release and ineffective at the box office, the movie was nearly lost to history. But flicks this wonderfully weird don’t just disappear. It was only a matter of time before loyal audiences found this truly bizarre adult comic book. And one would think that the very loyal audience for this Jane Fonda gem would make an easy target for a great Blu-ray release. So why no special features?

I suppose, as a friend and colleague said, the movie itself is special enough. If you haven’t seen it in years, if you’re just familiar with it from its cultural references (look up the history of the band Duran Duran or do a google search for zero gravity strip tease), you really owe it to yourself to see it again. It’s SO much weirder than I remembered and almost mesmerizing in its awfulness. And I mean that as a compliment. What’s funny is how many movies have tried to replicate this sexual-sci-fi brand of camp and totally missed the mark. “Barbarella” is a true original, still as wacky as it was upon its initial release.

Given the cult of adoration for this movie, they couldn’t get anyone to talk about it? No commentaries? No featurettes? No retrospective about the influence and popularity of the movie? What a wasted opportunity. The transfer is spectacular but it’s a crime to release a Blu-ray of a beloved classic in 2012 with nothing but the theatrical trailer.

Barbarella was released on Blu-ray on July 3, 2012
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Synopsis:
Barbarella blasts into outer space and lands for the first time on Blu-ray. When Barbarella (Jane Fonda) makes a forced landing on Planet Lythion during a secret mission to find a lost scientist, she must use all of her skills, style, beauty and eroticism to vanquish evil in the form of in an uninhibited manner, the handsome men who assist her along the way. Discover all the intergalactic passion this fantasy adventure has to offer. Are you ready to take a ride beyond your imagination?

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com