Killer Barbys (1996)
Review by Dindrane
Film:
DVD:

Starring Silvia Superstar, Santiago Segura, Mariangela Giordano, Aldo Sambrell, and Charlie S. Chaplin
Directed by Jesus Franco
Written by Jesus Franco and Patxi Irigoven

Features:

• Band interview
  
• English-dubbed
  

Rating: NR, suitable for 17+

Anamorphic: No

My Advice: Skip it unless you like horror/music/comedies

Somewhere between comedy, horror, and a music video lies Killer Barbys. This film stars the band the Killer Barbies, an existing, real-life punk-alternative band from Spain. Luckily, this film isn’t so much trying to be original as to entertain.

Along the way, just about every horror film cliché is shoved into the plot—the band’s van breaks down, and they are forced to seek help in the home of the mysterious Countess, an Elizabeth Bathory sort of character who bathes in the blood of young, nubile people to stay young. She is aided and abetted by her long-time servant and former lover. Just as she is beginning to age again, along come the Killer Barbies (“Barbys” in the film), ready for sex, naked running through the woods, and to be gutted like pigs. It takes a short while for the rockers to realize that something is amiss in this castle, but given how early on they split themselves into conveniently-killed small groups, this is not surprising. When the gore starts to fly, the blood is deep very soon.

Ok, so the plot is nothing to write home about...what about the music? Since this film is rather uninspiring (and un-frightening) as a horror film, the music at least had better be enjoyable. Lucky for us, it is. “Love Killer,” the ostensible theme of the movie, is quite good, actually, and the band members themselves seem to be having such a good time that the mood is a bit infectious.

The video is rather murky in places, though watchable, and the sound is quite muted in the dubbed sections; even native speakers of English will have some trouble making out a line here or there. The sound effects and other sounds, such as the music, that are original to the film are clearer, but still not quite what you might be used to in DVD quality.

The film clocks in at a mere hour, which is long for a music video, but rather short for a film. It is, however, long enough...how many times can they kill the same five kids, after all? The band interview is actually surprisingly interesting. The Q&A format lets viewers see that the singers really aren’t incredibly stupid as their characters seem. Also, if you find yourself charmed by their music in the film, it’s a good way to learn more about them and drum up some excitement about this movie.

Overall, this film serves as an unusual introduction to the music of the Killer Barbies. If you see it as such, the fact that it fails as a horror film might not be quite so depressing. If you love grade B (or C, or D...) flicks, then you just might enjoy the kitsch of this one as good, bloody fun. If you like your horror with more thought and less flying brains, then you’re probably better of skipping this one. It is legitimately good for a lark or a laugh, and the music truly is decent if you like punk, but otherwise… there are much funnier comedies, scarier slasher flicks, and, well, just plain better ways to spend your cash and your hours of life.

Keep in mind that if you love this one, there was a sequel made in Spain in 2002.