💿 Technical Specifications
The Film
"It's not big nor clever, but Barbarella is fun and sexy, and that counts for something."
Barbarella is one of those cult films that I had never seen, despite seeing most of it through clips, posters, and endless fawning over Jane Fonda, who lights up the screen in her iconic film role. Now, having seen the whole thing, was it worth the wait? Well, yes and no. It's not a particularly great film, but I can totally understand why it has such an adoring cult following. For what it's worth, Barberalla is fun in the way that Flash Gordon is goofy.
What really strikes me about both of these cheesy delights is how unserious, sexy, yet very, very conservative they are. Barbarella, for example, begins with Fonda in zero gravity, teasing the audience with a near-striptease that the camera absolutely delights in. But it's never anything more than what you'd see in a James Bond credits sequence. Elsewhere, everyone talks a big game about sex, but you'd be hard-pressed to find any of it here.
It's not that this film needs it, or that I'm down about the lack of it, but Barbarella has a reputation, one that it seems keen to sell in every new release it gets. I don't think it ever lives up to it, either. Instead, there's a constant sense that everything is just a little bit cynical, a little too calculated, and it gives the feature a distant and almost clinical atmosphere. We're here for fun, yes, but not too much of it, lest the censors get upset.
For a big space romp arriving at the tail end of the 60s, Barbarella gets the vibes right, and everything else is best imagined from second-hand memories. It's not a bad movie, but the reputation is more fun than the real thing.
Video quality
"A surprisingly careful restoration of a vibrant cult classic."
The new 4K restoration is quality throughout, with a great emphasis on retaining the gorgeous film grain and every imperfection of the original film print. The results are wonderful, with vibrant colors, impeccable texture, and jaw-dropping detail in even the background materials. Sure, it does highlight just how low-budget some of this is, but that only adds to the charm.
The skin tones are likewise impeccable, and the film makes most of Jane Fonda's iconic looks at every turn. For what it's worth, Barbarella is a gorgeous cult film; every frame could be turned into a poster.
Sound quality
"As good as it needs to be."
The Dolby Atmos mix is an odd one, as Barbarella never impresses with sound effects or big set pieces. The soundtrack is great, so there's that, and the dialogue sounds pristine throughout. But this is simply a good restoration of an already well-made one, as Barbarella has seen numerous different versions on DVD and Blu-ray in the last couple of decades.
Extras
"Not a damn thing."
There's nothing on the barebones Nordic release, but a limited edition from Arrow has a wealth of extras well worth seeking out for those who love the film.
Verdict
"A perfectly decent barebones release for those just interested in the film. Fans should check out the Arrow Limited Edition instead."
Barbarella is a silly and often delightfully gonzo space romp that doesn't quite live up to its raucous reputation. It's still fun, and the 4K restoration looks lovely, so those curious should at least give it a look. Though if you know you're already in for the ride, it's probably best to splurge on the much better Arrow version.
