Barb Wire (1996) {Blu-ray Review}

Reviewed By Jason Lockard

In the 1990s films based on comic books were all over. Sort of like now only 9 times out of 10 they were not very good films. One comic book that was adapted in the 90s was Dark Horse comics "Barb Wire" The comic about a female bounty hunter Barbara Kopetski In 1996 Pamela Anderson took the task of bringing this character to life on film.

This film has gained a bit of a cult status. Now the good folks at Mill Creek Entertainment has released this 90's comic book adaption on Blu-ray. Let's take a look at this release.

The film takes place in the year 2017. The world is in the middle of the Second American Civil War. The whole country is in a constant state of emergency. Congressional Directorate rules the country with fascistic methods. There is only one free city left, and that is Steel Harbor, in coastal California. There resides Barb Wire a female nightclub owner. Times are tough so Barb has a second job. She's a bounty hunter and you don't want her after you. As complicated as her life is things get even more complicated when her ex-boyfriend, Axel Hood, hits town, with his new wife Dr. Corrina Devonshire and a threat to those in control. Barb is the only one who can get him out of the city alive. But will she? you'll have to watch the film to find out.

Some consider this film a sort of remake of Casablanca. And while I can see why people think that. To put any film with Casablanca is almost sacrilegious. So instead I am just looking at the film itself and not trying to compare it!


The story is a bit of a mess at times, but the action is pulse pounding. It's hard to believe the producers of this film made this film R rated. It is filled with violence, some profanity and nudity and sexual situations. I think they would have been better to dial this back a bit and make this more for teens, who loved Baywatch. This could have possibly made this more of a box office success, instead of the failure it became.

While this film is not a great film. It has a lot of issues. Like many films that are considered bad. Those films have it's fans. And Barb Wire is no exception. This film has become a little bit of a cult film. I think this film doesn't take itself serious and we shouldn't either. I think people would enjoy it more if they did that.

Now for the blu-ray release itself. The film is presented in it's original 1.85:1 widescreen format , no cropping or stretching here! And the wudio is in English DTS-HD Master audio 5.1. The film looks and sounds stunning. The picture audio is crystal clear taking you right into the action. No doubt this is the best this film has looked. As for bonus features there is only English subtitles for the hearing impaired.That is a bit of a bummer.

So if your a fan of Pamela Anderson, or those 90s comic book adaptions. This one is for you! Head over to www.Millcreekent.com today.




Moral Rating: violence, adult language, sexual situations, and nudity
Audience: adults.
Genre: Action, scifi, comic book adaption
Released: 1996
Movie Rating: C
Blu-ray Rating: B