Review of Danger: Diabolik (1968) by Blake P — 26 Jan 2013

Fast, fun, and sexy, "Danger: Diabolik" shows horror maven Mario Bava in a good mood, and in this case, adapting a European comic strip with style. Taking place right after the ending of TV series "Batman", it's obvious the influence it had on the film-- yet, "Danger: Diabolik" maintains a campy cool that never stoops low enough for us to laugh at. Instead, we're in awe of the hugely entertaining set pieces, and the attractive pairing of John Phillip Law and Marisa Mell.

It's the '60's, and yet again, master thief Diabolik (Law) and his partner (Mell) are up to no good. Their day to day lifestyle revolves around robbing banks, stealing jewelry, and hijacking priceless weapons, all for the love of fun, money, and themselves. They constantly get away with it but their plans just may be jinxed when master criminal Valmot (Adolfo Celi) vows to use his underworld connections to help the police catch his greatest foe.

In just the first few minutes of "Danger: Diabolik" we're introduced to Law donning a tight-black, cat suit, with Mell in disguise, '60's fashions, underground hideouts, car chases that you'd swear were put in fast motion for the heck of it, and a score by Ennio Morricone that's so groovy that you'd swear it's the best soundtrack ever. This is the kind of "campy-cool" Bava creates that makes the film so much fun!

Dismissed at the time of its release as just another exercise in silliness, it was revamped in the '90's in an episode of "Mystery Science Theater 3000" (although it's definitely not as bad as the films that serve as the butt of their jokes), and now it's gotten the recognition it deserves. It may not be the best movie ever, and it's definitely not Bava's masterpiece (that would be "Black Sunday"), but this film is so immensely enjoyable and sweetly dated that it's always fun to watch. The real eye candy once again goes to Bava's sumptuous use of color-- but the real stars of the show are Law and Mell.

Law may sport wacky eyebrows and an odd assortment of Catwoman leftovers, but he's so charismatic that the supposed good-guys instantly seem like the villains. Mell, a sexy combination of Brigitte Bardot, Catherine Deneuve, and Goldie Hawn, is beautiful, stylish, and ruthless, all the ingredients necessary to create a femme fatale. The twosome look great together, and they're great anti-heroes.

"Danger: Diabolik" is a grand old time that allows us to feel sentimental about the good old days, and constantly feel thrilled as well. Bava has never made a more entertaining movie, and the cult icons that star have never been so downright cool.