Barbarella Reviews

Still a Classic

I’d normally run a million miles from anything described as ‘Sci-Fi/Fantasy’. Am I the last person in the world never to have seen any of the Star Wars films?

But Jane Fonda camps this film up from the first minute of dialogue. The irony may be laid very thick with a heavy trowel here, but it suits me just fine. I’d forgotten the secret password for the underground rebels ‘Llanfairpwllg…etc’. Can’t imagine where Roger Vadim got that from – maybe it was David Hemmings’ idea.

Of course the DVD gives every schoolboy at heart the opportunity to freeze frame through the infamous opening sequence with Barbarella disrobing, but what little could be exposed is hidden by the Titles. Jane Fonda not only looks gorgeous in this film, she also sounds like the sort of woman you could never say no to :o).

Well, what did you expect?

Although a classic, the film shows its age and is tame in all respects by today’s standards. Still amusing in parts however and Jane Fonda is still pretty as ever!

A film that’s hard to recommend but also hard to criticize, it just is what it is - a light hearted sci-fi reflecting society, film making and tastes of its day.

I concur with the other reviews here in that the film is probably best viewed after a few beers!

Sexy sci-fi

This is a good cheesy sci-fi movie. To try and explain the plot or comment on the acting/special effects, would be a pointless exercise. Because they are all meaningless, this film is purely a vehicle to get Jane Fonda (wow what a woman) into as many figure hugging revealing costumes as possible and just as quickly back out of them. The film has its tongue firmly in its cheek and definitely has lashings of 60s psychedelia thrown in, to make this a trippy sexy romp. This is worth seeing for no other reason than the opening credits, one of the greatest title sequences ever, let me give you a hint (Jane Fonda-Spacesuit-Slow zero gravity strip = Naked). Hire this it ain't a smart movie but boy is it fun.

This is a cult classic and not just for those viewers who want to really see where Jane Fonda began before she became Mrs Ted Turner and beyond, then this is something to sit back and enjoy. The fact that it's a strange, indulgent trip into 60s psychedelia and the probable design inspiration for Austin Powers is something worth watching for as well.

Heil Camp!

One of my all time favourite movies!

I love the extremely camp, un-PC, highly stylised, retro grooviness of this film.

Anita Pallenberg is fantastic as the Great Tyrant, Queen of Sogo.... a great adversary to Fonda's 'whiter than white' Barbarella.

I could watch it again and again... and do! Cult stuff!

Best line: "An Angel does not make love, an angel is love".... "Then you're a dead duck!".

A Classic Movie!!

What a great movie! If you are expecting CG at it's best then don't watch this movie, but if you want tongue in cheek humour with what was at the time very open sexual references then watch this movie.

Good nostalgic fun

I remember as a youngster in the '70s coming home early from the pub on a Friday night to catch this on late night BBC2 or ITV, so I find it difficult to comment on this without feelings of nostalgia. It is great to see Jane Fonda in action before she got into 'serious issues' and the DVD print is nice, glossy and colourful.

I know this movie is supposed to be a classic - and I can see lots of examples in later movies that have obviously been inspired by Barbarella. However, there comes a point where the 'special effects' are *so* dated that they detract from everything else and this is the case here. Even given that this is supposed to be a kitsch film, the dialogue is stilted and poorly delivered throughout. A large dose of Jane Fonda in her prime compensates somewhat! Overall, if you have nothing else to do, then this could be a pleasant way of spending an hour or so - but don't expect riveting entertainment.

Sixties Sci-Fi

A bit dated by todays standards but enjoyable all the same.

so-so si-fi

not really my cup of tea,but good sets and visuals.worth it alone for jane fonda.worth a go!