Directed by: Roger Vadim
Starring: Jane Fonda, David Hemmings
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures
Release Date: July 03, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Running Time: 98 minutes
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1/2 out of 5 stars
“Barbarella” may not be the best film ever but it is fun and really entertaining. Jane Fonda is so great in this film and the role. The film itself though does look aged, in the sense of its effects, but I think that is the charm that it holds today. Anyone watch “Star Trek: The Original Series” recently? 40 years has not kind to this film, luckily Paramount did an amazing restoration job and this film is stunning on Blu-ray. The release also comes in a nice slipcover that really is really cool for fans of the film.
I mean who would say no to a zero-gravity striptease, which is featured in the opening credits. You will quickly forget that PG-ratings in the 60’s are equivalent to R-ratings today. The film itself is based on a French comic strip from Jean-Claude Forest and takes place in the 41st-century or at least what the budget could afford for 1968. Still the film is a fantasy sci-fi cult classic that is filled with great camp and Jane Fonda, do you need anything else? She fights robots and monsters and is basically a female James Bond…you have me sold instantly.
The 1080p transfer on this release is near perfect and doesn’t at all look like it is from 1968. Really great job Paramount. The aspect ratio on the disc is presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The audio included is an Dolby TrueHD Mono track, which seems to suite this film quite well. Unfortunately, the only special feature included is the film’s theatrical trailer, at least it is in HD. If you are a fan of the film though it is worth the purchase just for the high-def upgrade.