I didn't exactly have high expectations. I recall well when 'Barb Wire' was first released, and it gave the impression of being little more than somewhat exploitative schlock capitalizing on Pamela Anderson's body. The reputation it seems to have earned rather affirms that impression. Apart from a couple unexpected names in the cast (Udo Kier, Clint Howard), no one especially stuck out as a possible savior. Why, this remains the only feature film of director David Hogan, whose work otherwise seems to strictly have been in music videos. On the other hand, screenwriter Chuck Pfarrer is a familiar and welcome name; he's been behind a few quite excellent features. Now that I've watched this rather infamous slice of cinema for myself, color me surprised - I wouldn't go so far as to say it's good, but it's not all bad, honestly.
While the presentation is very much a sci-fi action flick, the narrative, its characters, and even some of the less ham-handed dialogue in no small part reflect a neo-noir. I could almost imagine the bare bones of the screenplay serving a different kind of story, were it conceived 40-50 years earlier. To be sure, there are a lot of indelicacies in the writing - and many more in Hogan's direction, which in its own dire inelegance accentuates the problems with Pfarrer's contribution. Yet for all the garish gawkiness that pervades the feature, 'Barb Wire' is penned fairly deftly. Scenes are written well, and though I'm no fan of Hogan's eye as a director, nor his guiding hand, the same scenes are broadly ably executed, too. The narrative, characters, and dialogue, already mentioned as a relative anachronism by film industry standards, are stronger than I possibly could have expected. Far from perfect, of course, but my assumptions were "rock bottom," so every little bit counts for something.
The marketing, costume design, and introduction of Anderson's title character portend a notably sleazy genre romp, so I was almost taken aback by how little the actress' physique is actually emphasized in the feature. It's refreshing, frankly: This isn't so much a "look at the scantily-clad lady!" action flick, as it is an action flick that just happens to star a woman famed for her stature. Her acting is another question, though. Whether it's from lack of ability, a series of bad days on set, or just the tawdry guiding hand of Hogan, there are few instances herein where her delivery and comportment is convincing. Or is it just that the character of Barb Wire is supposed to be calm, cool and collected? If so, that's definitely not how it came across. Other performances in the film similarly struggle with authenticity, though I think for the most part the supporting cast comes out looking better than Anderson does.
There's no mistaking that 'Barb Wire' is also distinctly over the top, probably too much so for its own good. Yet to my amazement, the biggest problem here isn't bombastic action, ham-handed dialogue or acting, or generally poor film-making - but just a lack of a meaningfully distinguishing element. Yes, all the other issues further weigh it down, but the movie above all just possesses nothing to really set it apart, or make it an essential experience. It's not bad, but when you can watch other action pictures with fewer weaknesses, there's no particular reason to seek this one out, save perhaps for curiosity. Oddly, given the low regard for the title at large, to simply call it unremarkable nearly feels like a compliment.
Though not exactly riveting, I'm glad I sat to watch this - why not, after all? In the very least, I don't totally regret it, which alone says much. I can't really imagine recommending this, and to sit for it should likely only ever be a question of inquisitiveness, not active interest. Yet the fact remains that I plainly don't think 'Barb Wire' is half as awful as its reception would suggest. It's not specifically deserving of your time, but if you enjoy action movies, there are worse ways to spend 90 minutes.
While the presentation is very much a sci-fi action flick, the narrative, its characters, and even some of the less ham-handed dialogue in no small part reflect a neo-noir. I could almost imagine the bare bones of the screenplay serving a different kind of story, were it conceived 40-50 years earlier. To be sure, there are a lot of indelicacies in the writing - and many more in Hogan's direction, which in its own dire inelegance accentuates the problems with Pfarrer's contribution. Yet for all the garish gawkiness that pervades the feature, 'Barb Wire' is penned fairly deftly. Scenes are written well, and though I'm no fan of Hogan's eye as a director, nor his guiding hand, the same scenes are broadly ably executed, too. The narrative, characters, and dialogue, already mentioned as a relative anachronism by film industry standards, are stronger than I possibly could have expected. Far from perfect, of course, but my assumptions were "rock bottom," so every little bit counts for something.
The marketing, costume design, and introduction of Anderson's title character portend a notably sleazy genre romp, so I was almost taken aback by how little the actress' physique is actually emphasized in the feature. It's refreshing, frankly: This isn't so much a "look at the scantily-clad lady!" action flick, as it is an action flick that just happens to star a woman famed for her stature. Her acting is another question, though. Whether it's from lack of ability, a series of bad days on set, or just the tawdry guiding hand of Hogan, there are few instances herein where her delivery and comportment is convincing. Or is it just that the character of Barb Wire is supposed to be calm, cool and collected? If so, that's definitely not how it came across. Other performances in the film similarly struggle with authenticity, though I think for the most part the supporting cast comes out looking better than Anderson does.
There's no mistaking that 'Barb Wire' is also distinctly over the top, probably too much so for its own good. Yet to my amazement, the biggest problem here isn't bombastic action, ham-handed dialogue or acting, or generally poor film-making - but just a lack of a meaningfully distinguishing element. Yes, all the other issues further weigh it down, but the movie above all just possesses nothing to really set it apart, or make it an essential experience. It's not bad, but when you can watch other action pictures with fewer weaknesses, there's no particular reason to seek this one out, save perhaps for curiosity. Oddly, given the low regard for the title at large, to simply call it unremarkable nearly feels like a compliment.
Though not exactly riveting, I'm glad I sat to watch this - why not, after all? In the very least, I don't totally regret it, which alone says much. I can't really imagine recommending this, and to sit for it should likely only ever be a question of inquisitiveness, not active interest. Yet the fact remains that I plainly don't think 'Barb Wire' is half as awful as its reception would suggest. It's not specifically deserving of your time, but if you enjoy action movies, there are worse ways to spend 90 minutes.