Jane Fonda is at her sheer sexiest starring in this psychedelic science fiction flick based on the comic book, as Barbarella an astronaut from Earth who is sent to Sogo to look for the missing scientist Durand Durand. From the opening scenes where Barbarella is floating undressing from her space suit during craftily placed title sequences, you know you’re in for something out of this world. Let the innuendos and softcore porn fly! Watch Jane Fonda flirt, watch Jane Fonda strip, watch Jane Fonda be raped by a music machine as Durand Durand strums it along.
This surely is softcore porn and exploitation at its finest with phallic symbols galore and names like Dildano, not to mention suggestive sexual content featuring a blind angel, and a hot black queen with a sexual undercurrent towards Barbarella. Anita Pallenberg is a stunning villainess dripping with sexual energy, who rivals Fonda’s own raw sexuality, and the pair provide surefire sexual chemistry that’s both entertaining and enticing. Fonda’s choice to star in one of the cheesiest B films of all time is still a slight conundrum. Especially considering Fonda built a critically acclaimed career between this film with such excellent fare as the hilarious romance comedy “Barefoot in the Park,” the haunting political thriller “The China Syndrome,” and “Klute.”
“Barbarella” was the reflection of an actress willing to take chances, and not take herself too seriously. Beyond it all, Fonda is simply and utterly the definition of sexuality in this film and will make any man’s head explode. Skimpy outfits like fur and a body tight space suit, lusty looks, and curves, curves, curves make her the fantasy of any male movie goer. The plot doesn’t make much sense with meandering sub-plots, and utterly ridiculous characters. As would be expected for a film in the sixties, this is sheer psychedelica with multi-colored set pieces, odd special effects, and creatures and costumes that are just surreal.
Whether it be the wild kids, or the killer dolls taking bites out of Barbarella. Vadim’s direction is a drug hazed venture with some of the weirdest monsters, and lands that look shockingly similar to soundstages. “Barbarella” is still one of the most fun, pleasant, and unique films I’ve ever seen, and it’s also one of the most memorable of comic book adaptations ever conceived. It’s sad there was never a follow-up, as Barbarella is a woman filled with potential to indulge in many erotic intergalactic adventures. No one will be able to measure up to Fonda, but the character still has some life left in her yet.